Tshwane SPAR Grand Prix 10km , 5 August 2023
ROAD RUNNING
Tshwane Confirms SPAR Grand Prix Expectations
Tadu Nare won in Tshwane with a 32:56
With her fourth consecutive win in the 2023 SPAR Grand Prix Series in Tshwane , two-time defending series champion Tadu Nare of Ethiopia wrapped up her third series win in a row . Meanwhile , the Tshwane leg of SPAR Women ’ s Challenge made a welcome return after its COVID-enforced hiatus , and thousands of women took to the roads for either a 10km or 5km outing .
Four Race Wins in Row for Nare
Tshwane SPAR Grand Prix 10km , 5 August 2023
Nare breaks away from the chasing pack
Ethiopian star Tadu Nare extended her dominance in the 2023 SPAR Grand Prix Series with another spectacular performance in the capital city , wrapping up her third successive SPAR Grand Prix series title with a race to spare as she took line honours in the fifth and penultimate leg of South Africa ’ s leading women ’ s road running series . With this victory , she took an unassailable lead in the annual series ahead of the sixth and final leg to be held in Johannesburg in October .
While the first three races in the series were all at sea level , in Cape Town , Gqeberha and Durban , followed by a slightly higher altitude at the Mbombela leg , this was the first race in the series at altitude on the Highveld . On top of dealing with the challenges associated with this increase in altitude , Nare also had to contend with an undulating course , but appeared to coast to a comfortable win , crossing the line nearly a minute clear of her nearest opponent in 32:57 .
“ My plan was to push the pace from the start , but from the first few kilometres you have to contend with the hills on this course , so I tried to do my best , but it was a difficult race ,” Nare said . “ I ’ m thrilled and delighted to have won the series , but it ’ s not over yet .”
Nare ’ s Ethiopian compatriot , Selam Gebre , took second place for the fifth SPAR Grand Prix race in a row , coming home in 33:50 , with Blandina Makatisi of Lesotho showcasing the talent of Southern African athletes as she took third in 34:15 . “ The race was tough and I never thought I would make the top three , so I ’ m happy to have achieved my result ,” said Makatisi , after earning her first SPAR Grand Prix podium finish . Cian Oldknow was the first South African home in 34:17 , finishing fourth overall , and former Grand Prix winner Glenrose Xaba was fifth in 34:38 .
The sixth and final leg of the SPAR Grand Prix series will be held at Marks Park Sports Club in Johannesburg on 1 March 2023 . For more info , visit www . sparwomensrace . co . za or www . spar . run
Top three in Durban : Blandina Makatisi , Tadu Nare and Selam Gebre
And the Tshwane Winners Are …
Here are the top results of the Tshwane SPAR Grand Prix 10km on 5 August .
Senior Category |
1 Tadu Nare ( Nedbank / Ethiopia ) |
32:56 |
2 Selam Gebre ( Nedbank / Ethiopia ) |
33:49 |
3 Blandina Makatisi ( Maxed / Lesotho ) 34:14 |
4 Cian Oldknow ( Hollywood ) |
34:16 |
5 Glenrose Xaba ( Boxer ) |
34:37 |
6 Cacisile Sosibo ( Boxer ) |
34:56 |
7 Irvette van Zyl ( Hollywood ) |
35:04 |
8 Rutendo Nyahora ( Hollywood / Zimbabwe ) |
35:35 |
9 Carmie Prinsloo ( Boxer ) |
35:59 |
10 Lebo Phalula ( Boxer ) |
36:26 |
Junior Category
1 Jackie COERTZE ( Boxer ) 39:20 2 Mart-Mari Jordaan ( Boxer ) 39:41 3 Jasmen Pienaar-Kotze ( Montana HS ) 39:52
40-49 Category |
1 Leilani SCHEFFER ( RWFL ) |
38:29 |
2 Charlene ARCHER ( Nedbank ) |
39:19 |
3 Simone Botha ( Boxer ) |
40:11 |
50-59 Category |
1 Ronel Thomas ( Boxer ) |
40:58 |
2 Ingrid Koster ( Nedbank ) |
42:53 |
3 Marili Munnik ( Muray & Roberts ) |
43:31 |
60-69 Category |
1 Judy Bird ( Boxer ) |
42:06 |
2 Jackie Frey ( Nedbank ) |
48:20 |
3 Jane Mudau ( Nedbank ) |
48:50 |
Images : Reg Caldecott , Shaun McCreanor
48 ISSUE 161 | www . modernathlete . co . za