Makhanya hopes to extend lead

Mapaseka Makhanya hopes to increase the gap at the top of the Grand Prix leaderboard when she competes in the third leg of the Spar Women's 10km Challenge in Durban on Sunday.

The track specialist held a seven-point lead on the Grand Prix ladder, with 37 points, after finishing second in Cape Town and third in Port Elizabeth.

“My aim is to go out there and give my best on Sunday,” said Makhanya.

“I'm going to focus on running my own race and will run as if it were my last race."

Makhanya made a move to the road and to long distances on the track earlier this year, after specialising in middle-distance events in the past.

The 28-year old won the 1500m and 5000m double at the South African Athletics Championships in April and, taking part in the 10km series for the first time this year, said she found road running a bit harder but believed she had made a smooth transition.

“I've adjusted very well to the longer distance though hard work and dedication, and I hope to keep improving,” said Makhanya.

“It's my first year in this series and I don't want to put myself under any pressure.”

Hot on Makhanya's heels in the standings are two-time former Grand Prix champion Irvette Van Zyl and Christine Kalmer, both in joint second place on 30 points.

“I don't want to focus on what the other runners are doing. I don't even know how they are training for this race," Makhanya said.

“All I know is that if they (Van Zyl and Kalmer) win and I come seventh, they will overtake me.”

Kalmer's older sister, Rene, who has won the series three times, hoped to narrow the gap on the leaders. On 17 points after finishing fourth in the first leg in Cape Town, she missed the Port Elizabeth leg after sustaining an Achilles injury in the Boston Marathon.

“Three races give me the opportunity to make up lost points,” Kalmer said.

“I just have to run my best and win the last three races.”

Grand Prix points are awarded to South African top runners in the series of five races. The winner will receive a car, while the runner-up receives R30 000.

Zimbabwean Rutendo Nyahora recorded successive victories in both the Cape Town and Port Elizabeth races but is ineligible for Grand Prix points.

(File Photo: Gallo Images)

-Sapa