Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 50, September 2013 | Page 34

Race Report

(My

Experience)

Thousands of women take over the streets of Durban.

More than 19 200 women took over the streets of Durban, Stellenbosch and Johannesburg in July and August in celebration of Women’s Month at the three Totalsports Ladies Races, each offering both 10km and 5km distances.

Rene Takes It Again
With just over 5 500 athletes in the mix in Stellenbosch on Friday 9 August, National Women’s Day, it was Once again Nedbank runner Rene Kalmer who streaked away from the ?eld to win in an impressive 33:35. After the race, she described it as her best race of the year so far. “The route was tough with a lot of twists, turns and hills, so I enjoyed the last 3km the most, but I love Stellenbosch, the people are really friendly and I seem to have a lot of supporters here, even though I’m not from the area. This race is really special, as it’s all about the ladies.” Bulelwa Simae (Nedbank) came in second, while Anneline Roffey (New Balance MC) ?nished third.

Jenna’s Day
Jenna Challenor of Boxer AC led over 6 000 women home on Sunday 21 July in Durban, clocking in at 34:59, and then described the route from Berea Rovers Sports Club as the best she has run in her home city. “I’ve run a lot of 10km and 15km routes in Durban, and today’s route was de?nitely the best. I would have loved to have taken part in 2012, but I was pregnant at the time. Today my plan was just to go out and run – I de?nitely didn’t expect to win – but the conditions were perfect and the race was fantastic!” Poppy Mlambo (Boxer) came in second, while Thabisa Sirayi (Lions) ?nished third.

Images: Cherie Vale/Newsport Media & Jetline Action Photo