There is No Stopping Tadu Nare

Ethiopian runner Tadu Nare (Nedbank) retained her unbeaten record in the SPAR Grand Prix 10km series when she won the Tshwane race in 32.56 minutes. The race – the fourth in the women’s only series was run at a new venue, the Agricultural Research Council Farm in Irene on Friday.

Nare, who has to fly back to Ethiopia after every race because of Covid-19 restrictions, said she had found the race challenging.

“I did a 35km training run a week ago, so I didn’t run the way I wanted to. But I am looking forward to the last two races, in Joburg and Gqeberha next month. I think Joburg will have lots of hills but I am looking forward to Gqeberha, where I hope to do a good time on a flat course,” said Nare.

For the third time in the series, Boxer runner Glenrose Xaba was second. She finished in 33.42 minutes. Gerda Steyn (Nedbank) was third in 34.17 minutes, followed by her teammate and three times Grand Prix title holder, Irvette van Zyl, who was making her first appearance in this year’s series, after sustaining an injury at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in August. She finished in 34.51 minutes.

Xaba said she was very happy with her run.

“I tried to stay with Tadu, but I couldn’t keep up. She is particularly strong over the last three kilometres. But I am still determined to beat her,” said Xaba.

Steyn, who was also third in Durban, said the course had been challenging, although she had enjoyed being out in the country.

“The turns were quite sharp, which was difficult, but we all have to do the same turns and climb the same hills, said Steyn.

“We have all missed the energy of big crowds, but we have had to get used to it. I look forward to a time when we can have the crowds again,” said Steyn.

Asked whether international athletes should be allowed to compete, Steyn said it would be unfair to exclude them. “I compete overseas, so why shouldn’t international runners compete here,” she said.

Xaba said running against international athletes improved the standard in South Africa and gave local runners opportunities to improve.

Xaba announced earlier in the week that she was now being coached by Olympic and world 800m gold medallist Caster Semenya and that she would be supporting Semenya’s Foundation, which distributes sanitary products to girls in impoverished areas to help them to stay in school when they have their periods.

After the race, SPAR handed over 6 000 packs of sanitary pads to the Foundation – 600 for every kilometre Xaba completed.

The next race is in Johannesburg on October 3 and the final race in the series is in Gqeberha on October 9.

Results of the Tshwane SPAR Grand Prix women’s 10km run at the Irene Agricultural Research Farm on Friday, 24 September 2021:

Senior:

1. Tadu Nare (Nedbank) 32:56;
2. Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) 33:42;
3. Gerda Steyn (Nedbank) 34:17;
4. Irvette van Zyl (Nedbank) 34:51
5. Kesa Molotsane (Murray & Roberts) 35:12;
6. Fortunate Chidzivo (Retail Capital Langa) 35:32;
7. Stella Marais (Nedbank) 35:41;
8. Lebo Phalula (Boxer) 35:58;
9. Cian Oldknow (Murray & Roberts) 36:09;
10. Patience Murowe (Nedbank) 36:29

Junior:

1. Naledi Makgatha (Murray & Roberts) 35:48,
2. Karabo Motshoeneng (Temba Prestige College) 38:59,
3. Liane Smit (Menlopark) 40:28

40-49:

1. Charne Bosman (Murray & Roberts) 36.46;
2. Jane Grundling (Murray & Roberts) 38:04;
3. Enie Manzini (Murray & Roberts) 39:22

50-59:

1. Elmarie Pretorius (Run/Walk for Life) 41.50
2. Shani Silver (Boxer) 42:27
3. Marili Munnik (Murray & Roberts) 43:00

60-69:

1. Judy Bird (Murray & Roberts) 41.32;
2. Karen Brough (Murray & Roberts) 47.15;
3. Grace De Oliveira (Murray & Roberts) 47:29

70-79:

1. Elaine Greenblatt (RAC) 1:11:15

2021 SPAR Grand Prix Race Calendar

Sunday, 22 August – Pietermaritzburg
Saturday, 4 September – Cape Town
Saturday, 11 September – Durban
Friday, 24 September – Tshwane
Sunday, 3 October – Johannesburg
Saturday, 9 October – Gqeberha

SPAR Grand Prix Website
Facebook Livestream
Race: https://fb.watch/8dhdyeyRi5/
Prize Giving: https://fb.watch/8djUzQkCt8/

Photo Caption: Ethiopian runner Tadu Nare (Nedbank) retained her unbeaten record in the SPAR Grand Prix 10km series when she won the Tshwane race ahed of Glenrose Xaba in second, and Gerda Steyn in third place at the Agricultural Research Council Farm in Irene, Tshwane on Heritage Day, Friday 24 September, 2021. Photo: Nedbank Running Club

With editing by gsport