ROAD RUNNING

The usual suspects pushed to the front soon after the start

Top three in Mbombela : Selam Gebre , Tadu Nare and Docus Ajok

Breaking away from a strong field in the closing stages , defending SPAR Grand Prix series champion Tadu Nare ( Nedbank ) produced another sterling performance to win the fourth leg of the 2023 SPAR Grand Prix in Mbombela . In a tactical race on an undulating course at 700m altitude , the Ethiopian flyer remained patient in the first half before slamming down the hammer in the closing stages to draw clear of fellow Ethiopian athlete , Selam Gebre ( Nedbank ).

Nare completed the 10km race in 32:28 , slicing 15 seconds off the course record she set last year in the inaugural running of the event , and secured her third straight SPAR Grand Prix victory , having also won in Gqeberha ( May ) and Durban ( June ). She missed the first race in the 2023 series , in Cape Town , due to running the London Marathon that same weekend in April . Gebre , who held the series lead going into the Mbombela race , took second position for the fourth race in succession , clocking 32:51 .

“ It was tough for me today , to be honest . It was very cold , and I couldn ’ t keep my body warm ,” said Nare afterwards . “ It was also a tough course with lots of ups and down , so I ’ m not really satisfied with my time , but considering the challenges and the route , I ’ m happy with my result .”

While the two Ethiopian stars managed to drop the rest of the field in the second half , there was a tremendous battle behind them for third place . Ugandan Docus Ajok , making her SPAR Grand Prix debut , admitted she too had struggled in the conditions , though she managed to hold on to take the last podium place in 33:25 . She edged out Blandina Makatisi ( Maxed Elite ) of Lesotho , who grabbed fourth spot in 33:28 , and former series champion Glenrose Xaba ( Boxer ) was the first South African across the line , finishing fifth in 33:34 . “ After 5km I started to struggled because I competed in Durban last week and I haven ’ t recovered properly ,” Ajok said . “ The cold weather was a problem and the route was tough , so I ’ m grateful that I managed to finish in the top three .”

Nare and Selam Gebre drop Docus Ajok mid-race

In spite of the cold , Tadu Nare broke her course record in Mbombela

Here are the top results of the Mbombela SPAR Grand Prix 10km on 15July .

70 + Category

1 Martie van Putten ( RWFL Mpum ) 1:12:28

Glenrose Xaba eventually finished fifth on the day

Sunday 23 April – Green Point Common , Cape Town Saturday 27 May – Pollok Beach , Summerstrand , Gqeberha Sunday 25 June – Kings Park Stadium , Durban

Saturday 15 July – Mbombela Stadium , Mbombela Saturday 5 August – SuperSport Park , Tshwane Sunday 1 October – Marks Park Sporting Club ,

Johannesburg

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