Cruising to her back-to-back victory, Hollywood Athletics Club athlete Tayla Kavanagh broke the tape in a time of 34.12 looking fresh after a magnificent run to win the Maritzburg Spar Women’s 10/5km Challenge in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal, on Sunday 18 August.
The 23-year old defending champ was chased around the route by well-respected athlete, Jenet Mbhele, who was hot on her heels for the entire race, finishing 46 seconds behind Kavanagh in 34.58. This was almost a carbon copy of the Spar race results from last year for the first two places.
Close to the halfway mark, Mbhele was only 14 seconds off Kavanagh’s pace. “We knew it would be hilly, I felt strong for the entire race and managed to slightly pull away from Jenet in the second half as I powered up the hills,” said Kavanagh.
“It was good to be pushed by Jenet throughout the whole race. I knew she was close behind me, which forced me to put my head down and continue working.”
2023 and 2024 Maritzburg Spar Women’s 10/5km Challenge Champion, Tayla Kavanagh
Injuring her glute at the Cross-Country World Championships in Serbia in March, Kavanagh has been slowly getting back into her groove, not putting pressure on herself, and ‘falling back in love with running again.’
“I thoroughly enjoyed myself today. This is my first Spar race this year, and it felt good being out on the roads. I relished the hills; I have said before that I love the undulating route here in the Maritzburg Spar race. Living in Hillcrest, I get to train often in these parts, it is almost like my backyard run.”
Photo: Rogan Ward
Asked how her year has gone, she mentioned, “I have been building my confidence after my disappointment in Belgrade. I am finding a new rhythm and learning to listen more to my body. I have been doing a fair bit of strength training in the gym, which has done wonders for my running. I have also been concentrating a lot on my mental fitness and loving the process of that.”
Last weekend, the leading lady was being drenched in Cape Town as she competed in the Totalsports Women’s Race, “It was wet, wet, wet, absolutely pouring with rain. But I am really proud of myself, it was an amazing field with a number of Ethiopians and other big names lining up and I came seventh in the 10km. Actually, I have been quite consistent in my two Totalsports runs, coming seventh in both.”
Asked what is next for her, she smiled and responded, “I am not sure. I am taking it race by race at this stage. I will chat to my coach and decide but for now, I don’t have anything that I have diarised, I am just working to getting back to peak fitness and then we will see how we go.”
A fabulous field of 3,185 took part in the running of the Maritzburg Spar with participants embracing the ethos of the race, getting dressed up in tutus and wings and enjoying their time on the roads.
CHOC House in Pietermaritzburg, the race charity for the event, were awarded a cheque of R25,000.
Leading Results at the Maritzburg Spar Women’s 10/5km Challenge in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal, on Sunday 18 August
1. Tayla Kavanagh (Hollywood Athletics Club) 34.12
2. Jenet Mbhele (Excel Running Club) 34.58
3. Likeleli Majara (Sibanye Stillwater AC) 35.16
4. Malieno Mahloko 35.36
5. Nontokozo Happiness Mkhize (Faku Chiefs AC) 37.03
6. Yandiswa Shange (Athletes Academy) 37.47
7. Andisiwe Njunguza (Xcel Running Club) 37.57
8. Janie Grundling (Phatane AC) 39.27
9. Nokukhanya Memela (Hollywood Athletics Club) 40.25
10. Kadence Ribbink (Phatane AC) 40.47
Leading Juniors
1. Kadence Ribbink 40.47
2. Courtney van Wyngaard 42.47
3. Kwanele Sikhakhane 43.51
Leading Senior
1. Tayla Kavanagh 34.12
2. Jenet Mbhele 34.58
3. Likeleli Majara 35.16
40 – 49
1. Janine Grundling 39.27
2. Makhosi Mhlongo 41.18
3. Zodwa Magidigidi 46.44
50 – 59
1. Janene Carey 42.26
2. Shani Silver 42.49
3. Jen Patrick 50.59
60- 69
1. Grace de Oliviera 45.42
2. Brenda Myburgh 53.20
3. Claire MacKellar 57.27
70 +
1. Patricia Fisher 55.20
2. Sybil Dinkelmann 1:07.31
3. Jeanette Eglinton 1:14.00
Original Copy: Sophie Thompson for Elf Works at Publicity Matters, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Hollywood Athletics Club athlete Tayla Kavanagh broke the tape in a time of 34.12 looking fresh after a magnificent run to win the Maritzburg Spar Women’s 10/5km Challenge in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal, on Sunday 18 August. Photo: Rogan Ward
Photo 2 Caption: Kavanagh broke the tape in a time of 34.12 for back-to-back title wins, after winning in 2023. Photo: Rogan Ward
Photo 3 Caption: Tayla Kavanagh (centre) was chased right through the course by Jenet Mbhele (left) in second, with Likeleli Majara home in third. Photo: Rogan Ward
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