ROAD RUNNING
Gebre Finally Wins in SPAR Series
Selam Gebre wins the Joburg leg of the 2023 SPAR Grand Prix Series
After finishing second in the first five races of the 2023 SPAR Grand Prix Series , Ethiopian runner Selam Gebre finally took deserved line honours in the sixth and final leg of the series in Johannesburg , providing her with just rewards for a terrific series of runs . – BY SEAN FALCONER with the SPAR SERIES
Having finished second to compatriot Hiyane Lama in the opening leg of the 2023 SPAR Grand Prix in Cape Town in May , then finishing second behind another Ethiopian and the two-time defending SPAR Grand Prix Champion , Tadu Nare , Selam Gebre was very much playing the part of the perpetual bridesmaid . However , in the final race of the series , at Marks Park in Joburg on 1 October , she was determined to finish the series on a winning note , and she duly raced to the win in 33:41 , beating yet another countrywoman , SPAR Grand Prix debutant Debash Desta by a convincing 14 seconds . Third home was South Africa ’ s former threetime SPAR Grand Prix winner Irvette van Zyl in 35:08 .
Healthy Rivalry
Nare missed this race because she was preparing for the Chicago Marathon a week later , but she had already clinched the SPAR Grand Prix title for a third successive year . However , Gebre was not going to have it all her own way in Nare ’ s absence , with Desta in the field . She had beaten Gebre in a reversed 1-2 finish at the recent Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K in late August , equalling her personal best in the process , and then finished second behind SA ’ s Cian Oldknow in the Hollywoodbets Durban 10K just a week later , before winning the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K on Heritage Day , once again beating Gebre to line honours .
Gebre had to dig deep to beat compatriot Debash Desta in Jozi
56 ISSUE 162 | www . modernathlete . co . za
Third place went to a fit again and rejuvenated Irvette van Zyl
Desta thus came into the Joburg SPAR race in fine form , and seeming to have Gebre ’ s proverbial number , but it was Gebre who emerged the winner this time .
“ I don ’ t have the words to explain how happy I am to have won ,” said Gebre . “ I have had quite a busy time – I was in Copenhagen three weeks ago , and then I ran the Absa race last week , so I haven ’ t had time to rest and recover . So , I am very happy to have won the SPAR Jozi .” Gebre added that she had enjoyed the race , although she found the course , which includes several hills , very challenging . Similarly , Desta said she had also not had much time to recover . “ This is my fourth race in South Africa , and I wasn ’ t able to go home between races . I have been out of running for some time , and I am very happy to be back and doing well again .”
Meanwhile , Van Zyl , who has been out of running for much of this year while recovering from a severe stress fracture , was bubbling with excitement . “ I am so happy to be back and to be enjoying my running again . I am now running pain-free for the first time in ages ,” she said . “ It was one of my toughest injuries – and I have had many injuries . At one stage , I couldn ’ t even do cross-training , as I had to be on crutches and give my leg complete rest , but I was patient … and now I feel as though my year has just begun . I will definitely do some more races before the end of the year . I am going to do the Cape Town 10km , and I want to include a marathon at some stage .”
For more info , visit www . sparwomensrace . co . za or www . spar . run
The top three in Jozi , Irvette van Zyl , Selam Gebre and Debash Desta
And the Jozi Winners Are …
Here are the top results of the Johannesburg SPAR Grand Prix 10km on 1 October .
Senior Category |
1 Selam Gebre ( Nedbank ) |
33:41 |
2 Debash Desta ( Adidas ) |
33:55 |
3 Irvette van Zyl ( Hollywood ) |
35:08 |
4 Blandina Makatisi ( Maxed Elite ) |
36:26 |
5 Regina Ndungu ( Maxed Elite ) |
36:46 |
6 Stella Marais ( Nedbank ) |
37:40 |
7 Makhosazane Mhlongo ( Hollywood ) |
37:50 |
8 Carmie Prinsloo ( Boxer ) |
38:02 |
9 Cornelia Joubert ( Boxer ) |
38:18 |
10 Lebo Phalula ( Boxer ) |
38:34 |
Junior Category |
1 Jackie Coertze ( Boxer ) |
40:55 |
2 Corlize Stoltz ( Boxer ) |
42:18 |
3 Courtney Sole ( Boxer ) |
43:06 |
40-49 Category |
1 Makhosazane Mhlongo ( Hollywood ) |
37:50 |
2 IIse Marais ( Nedbank ) |
40:27 |
3 Tebogo Mokgosinyane ( Nedbank ) |
42:07 |
50-59 Category |
1 Elizabeth Potter ( 32GI ) |
42:16 |
2 Janene Carey ( Phantane ) |
43:47 |
3 Sunset Eybers ( Nedbank ) |
44:07 |
60-69 Category |
1 Judy Bird ( Boxer ) |
43:35 |
2 Jackie Frey ( Nedbank ) |
49:48 |
3 Sandra Steenkamp ( Irene Run / Walk ) |
50:12 |
Images : Reg Caldecott , Rogan Ward