Makhanya boss at Spar Women's Race
Mapaseka Makhanya totally dominated Sunday’s Durban Spar Women's 10km Challenge ahead of 16 301 runners and walkers recording 32 minutes 49 seconds - the fastest time since Colleen de Reuck clocked 31 minutes 38 seconds set in 2000.
After covering the first kilometre to the Suncoast promenade in three minutes 12 seconds, the leaders reduced their pace as they headed past the iconic Moses Mahbida Stadium.
Approaching Blue Lagoon, Makhanya and Cape Town Spar winner, Rutendo Nyahora, were shoulder to shoulder with the Kalmer sisters, Rene and Christine, the closest competition - but over 20 metres adrift.
Makhanya made her move as she commenced the return along the new promenade road and soon opened a substantial lead.
"I ran a 3000m in Dakar in a personal best of 9:08, which gave me a huge confidence boost,” said the SA 1500m champion. “I knew I had the speed. Initially I was going to push the last 3km, but I felt good so went earlier.”
The Transnet athlete’s winning time is a personal best by over 30 seconds and also her first win in the series which saw her third in Port Elizabeth and second in Cape Town.
"I have only just moved up to road running, (from track), but will continue on the track for a number of years,” said the SA 1500m champion. “I will only consider running marathons in 2016.”
Nyahora was a distant second in 33 minutes 55 seconds, with Christine Kalmer beating her sister into third place in 34:13.
"I had come into the race hoping to get a top five place so I am really excited to have finished third,” said the younger Kalmer. Rene had woken on race day with cold symptoms so was surprised to do as well as fourth.
The quality and depth of the field was such that Lebo Phalula, who won the SA 10km Championships in Durban last month, was only able to finish seventh in 35:15.
Makhanya is now odds on favorite to win the Spar Grand Prix series earning 20 points for the win and ten bonus points for being faster than the 2012 race. This will put her on 67 points with Christine Kalmer trailing by 19 points. This puts Makhanya literally in the driving seat for the Grand Prix prize of a Nissan Micra.
Although the 28-year-old mother of one will be competing in a couple of 5000m track races in Europe, her primary focus is on the Spar races and she made a point of getting her drivers licence after coming second to Nyahora in the Cape leg. Makhanya can cruise with her foot off the accelerator for the final two events, Pretoria 24 August, Johannesburg 13 October), and still find herself behind the wheel of the Nissan.
Jenna Challenor led home the Kwazulu-Natal runners in tenth position in 35 minutes 47 seconds, while Olympic marathoner Tanith Maxwell won the 35-39 age group in 36 minutes 22 seconds yesterday.
Local runners dominated the age group awards with Janene Carey second to Zimbabwean, Tabitha Tsatsa, in the 40-49 year category and Grace de Oliveria and Lien Botha taking the honours in the 50-59 and 60 plus categories.
Results:
1 Mapaseka Makhanya Transnet 32:49
2 Rutendo Nyahora (Zimbabwe) Nedbank 33:55
3 Christine Kalmer Nedbank 34:13
4 Rene Kalmer Nedbank 34:37
5 Peres Jepchirchir KEN 34:40
6 Myrette Filmater 35:01
7 Lebo Phalula Maxed Elite 35:15
8 Lineo Chaka 35:25
9 Tabitha Tsatsa Maxed Elite
10 Jenna Challenor Boxer
35-39
1 Tanith Maxwell
40-49
1 Tabitha Tsatsa (Zimbabwe)
50-59
1 Grace de Oliviera
60+
1 Lien Botha
- Norrie Williamson
(File Photo:Gallo Images)
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