Rutendo Nyahora Wins Pretoria SPAR 10km

Zimbabwe’s Rutendo Nyahora waited for the perfect time for her late surge and notched an impressive victory in the Pretoria SPAR Women’s Challenge 10km race in Centurion on Saturday.

The 26-year-old Nyahora overtook the strong-starting Phalula twins, Lebo and Lebogang, at the 7.5km mark and was not challenged again as she cruised to the finish line in a time of 34 minutes, 54 seconds.

“It all went according to plan and I’m so happy. I’ve been training at midday every day from the beginning of the month, so the heat did not affect me that much. I was struggling for the first two kilometres, but after that I enjoyed the race,” Nyahora said after her victory.

Lebo Phalula finished second in a time of 35:10, while Lebogang was third, a further 28 seconds back, but it wasn’t all bad news for the twins as Lebogang has earned enough points now to be virtually assured of the SPAR Grand Prix Series title.

The race started at 2pm with the temperature a warm 29 degrees and Lebo Phalula said the heat was not to her liking

“It was too hot, I don’t run my best when it’s hot, so I’m happy with my second position. It was a very challenging race for me, the hardest of the series, and I messed up the first kilometre,” she said.

Nolene Conrad (36:25), who only decided to run on Friday night after struggling with a calf injury, and Cherelee Schoeman (37:08) rounded out the top five.

The series now moves to Johannesburg on October 11 and Lebogang Phalula said she was determined to round off an excellent series for her with the overall title.

“I’m over the moon, I was aiming for a top three finish here, so I’m very happy. I congratulate Lebo and Rutendo, but they must watch out because I love running in Johannesburg, and I’m very keen to defend my title there.

“This is my year,” promised Lebogang while engaging in good-natured banter with the two runners who beat her on Saturday.

Leading Open Results of the 2015 SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge Pretoria, at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Saturday 29 August, 2015:

1. Rutendo Nyahora 34:54
2. Lebo Phalula 35:10
3. Lebogang Phalula 35:38
4. Nolene Conrad 36:25
5. Cherelee Schoeman 37:08
6. Cornelia Joubert 37:19
7. Chane Bosman 37:21
8. Caroline Wostman 37:34
9. Mapaseka Makhanya 37:48
10. Nthombesintu Mfunzi

Junior (15-19 Age Group):

1. Cherelee Schoeman 37:08
2. Simone Weitz 38:14
3. Liza Kellerman 42:27

Veteran (40-49 Age Group):

1. Mitsi van der Merwer 41:28
2. Ronel Thomas 42:08
3. Lana Theunissen 45:35

Master (50-59 Age Group):

1. Judy Bird 41:39
2. Jane Mudau 44:15
3. Ansie Breytenbach 45:00

Grandmaster (60-69 Age Group):

1. Margie Saunders 46:14
2. Francis van Blerk 49:31
3. Sonja Laxton 50:58

Grandmaster (70+ Age Group):

1. Annetjie Greyvenstein 60:00
2. Deidre Larkin 69:01
3. Mavis Satadler 69:53

Photo 1 caption: Rutendo Nyahora crosses the line to win during the SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge at SuperSport Park on August 29, 2015 in Centurion, South Africa. Photo: Reg Caldecott

Photo 2 caption: Lebo and Lebogang Phalula congratulate each other after finishing 2nd and 3rd to complete the podium. Photo: Reg Caldecott

Photo 3 caption: Comrades winner Caroline Wostman finishes 8th. Photo: Reg Caldecott

With editing by gsport