The 2019 SPAR Grand Prix winner, Helalia
Johannes (Nedbank) recorded a world best as she sprinted to victory in the SPAR
Women’s 10km race in 31.53 minutes at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha on
Saturday morning, May 28.
She became the first woman in the world
over 40 to run 10kms in under 32 minutes.
The 2021 SPAR Grand Prix winner,
Ethiopian Tadu Nare (Nedbank), was second in 32.11 followed closely by teammate
and fellow Ethiopian, 19-year-old Selam Gebre in 32.23 minutes. Tayla Kavanagh
of Murray & Roberts was the first South African home, in 32.33.
It was a very fast race, with the first 11
runners all finishing in under 34 minutes. Johannes and Nare ran side by
side for the first eight kilometres, where 41-year-old Johannes broke away.
Johannes, who missed the 2021 SPAR Grand
Prix series because of international commitments and injury, said she was not
surprised at her time, because everything had gone according to plan.
“I was running at the pace I planned to
run,” she said.
“Age is just a number. As long as my body responds the way I
want it to, I will run fast.”
Nare, who won every SPAR race last year,
said she was happy to have Johannes back in the series.
“It is very important to run against
someone who is better than you,” she said.
“I used to keep up with her for four
kilometres – now I can keep up with her for eight. She pushes me to run faster and so I
develop as a runner.”
Nare, who had to travel between Addis
Ababa and South Africa between all the SPAR races last year, said she would be
going back to Ethiopia, but she was happy that this year, there was time to
recover between the races.
Johannes will miss the race in Tshwane in
August because she will be running the marathon at the Commonwealth Games in
Birmingham.
Kavanagh was very pleased to have been the
first South African across the finish line.
“Everything went according to plan; the
weather was good and I am very happy with my time. It was exciting to be running against
some very good runners, but I always run my own race and try my best.”
Kavanagh said she was not sure if she
would run all six SPAR races this year.
“I will discuss it with my coach and we
will decide which races I should run.”
Three-times SPAR Grand Prix winner Irvette
van Zyl, who was seventh in 33-06 minutes, was also very satisfied with her
time.
“I still have the Two Oceans
ultra-marathon in my legs, so at five kilometres I decided just to run for the
bonus points for an excellent time. I was happy with my time and my legs are
getting better.”
Eight runners qualified for 10 bonus
points for running under 33.15 and three earned bonus points for running under
34 minutes.
The next SPAR Grand Prix series is in
Durban on June 26.
ISSUED BY BLD COMMUNICATIONS ON BEHALF OF SPAR GRAND PRIX SERIES
Overall Top 10:
1. Helalia Johannes (Nedbank) 31:53; 2. Tadu Nare (Nedbank) 32:11; 3. Selam Gebre (Nedbank) 32:23; 4. Tayla Kavanagh (Murray & Roberts) 32:33; 5. Caroline Mhandu (Maxed Elite) 32:56; 6. Cacisile Sosibo (Boxer) 32:58; 7. Irvette van Zyl (Nedbank) 33:06; 8. Kesa Molotsane (Murray & Roberts) 33:14; 9. Fortunate Chidzivo (Retail Capital) 33:22; 10. Lebo Phalula (Boxer) 33:33
Junior:
1. Selam Gebre (Nedbank) 32:23; 2. Karabo Motsoeneng (Prestige College) 37:41; 3. Akhona Zakhe 42:55; 4. Mia-Cara Hart (Collegiate Girls High School) 43:50
40-49:
1. Helalia Johannes (Nedbank) 31:53; 2. Jenna Challenor (Murray & Roberts) 35:17; 3. Makhosi Mhlongo (Hollywood Bets) 36:44; 4. Janie Grundling (Murray & Roberts) 37:11
50-59:
- Janene Carey (Murray & Roberts) 39:45; 2. Marili Munnik (Murray & Roberts) 40:39; 3. Shani Silver (Boxer) 40:54; Ronel Thomas (Boxer) 41:17
60+:
- Judy Bird (Murray & Roberts) 43:09; 2. Annatjie Botes (Nedbank) 46:14; 3. Grace de Oliviera (Murray & Roberts) 46:39; 4. Aletta Joubert (Crusaders Athletics Club) 53:18
