A controlled Lebogang Phalula running in Transnet colours took the line honours in the SPAR Women’s 10km race in Durban in a time of 33.36 in a record field of 17,607 competitors on Sunday (June 7).
Defending champion, Phalula was pushed hard by Nolene Conrad, the petite teacher from Vorentoe High School in Johannesburg, who finished only 3 seconds behind her. The duo spent the entire race side by side up until 800m when Phalula stepped up a gear overtaking Conrad and charging to the finish.
At the beginning of race, “the pace seemed to settle down very quickly, but I did feel the pressure of these two today,” said a delighted Phalula pointing at Conrad and third placed, Zimbabwean Rutendo Nyahora at the press conference.
Leading up to Blue Lagoon, the front runners comprised only four of the elite athletes, with Lebogang’s sister Diana–Lebo marginally in the lead. As they made their way into the Green Hub, Diana-Lebo dropped out of the leading pack.
Making their way onto the promenade alongside the uMgeni River, the defending champ and Conrad made their break from Nyahora and slowly increased their lead on their way back towards the Moses Mabhida Stadium precinct.
Nearing the 7km mark, a look of determination came across Conrad who had fallen slightly behind; the 26 year old strode ahead of Phalula and stayed in the lead until the final 1km.
“I just tried to stick with the girls in the first few kilometres,” says Conrad who had been ill prior to the race. “Then with the last few k’s to go, I just gave it my all and I thought I had it, but then Lebogang came past me with 800 metres to go and that was that. I am happy with how I ran today. It was the first time that I actually contended for the first position and finished so high in the SPAR race. I am grateful for a good run.”
“I would like to say well done to the ladies, especially to Nolene, who was a big competitor today, she was very strong and was aiming for it and well done,” said Lebogang.
“It was a wonderful event, the weather was perfect,” commented Rob Philipson, MD of SPAR KZN. “Building up to the day we had some bad weather predicted but it was perfect. The ladies came out in force. Elite runners have constantly supported this race, and gives our event huge credibility – and it is also wonderful that amateur runners get to run with people they admire.”
RESULTS OF SPAR DURBAN 10KM
Durban, South Africa – Results of the SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge race run at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead Durban on Sunday
Overall Results: 1-Lebogang Phalula 33.36; 2-Nolene Conrad 33.39; 3-Rutendo Nyahora 33.53; 4-Cornelia Joubert 34.04; 5-Christine Kalmer 34.29; 6-Diana-Lebo Phalula 34.48; 7-Rene Kalmer 34.51; 8-Nicole Van Der Merwe 34.52; 9-Irvette 34.56; 10-Tanith Maxwell 35.29
Female Senior: 1-Lebogang Phalula 33.36; 2-Nolene Conrad 33.39; 3-Rutendo Nyahora 33.53.
Female Junior (15-19 Age Group): 8-Nicole Van Der Merwe 34.52; 25-Simonay Weitsz 37.49; 27- Nomcebo Mtshali 38.05;
Female (35-39 Age Group): 10-Tanith Maxwell 35.29; 14- Bulelwa Simae 36.09; 48-Nonsikelelo Mbambo 41:22
Female (40-49 Age Group): 31-Janene Carey 38:39; 38-Karen Sobrino 40:12; 49-Ronel Thomas 41.25
Female (50-59 Age Group): 35-Judy Bird 39:23; 73-Ansie Breytenbach 44.21; 84-Janine Engels 45:33
Female (60+ Age Group): 60-Margie Saunders 43.07; 122-Sonja Laxton 48:46; 139- Sandy Fismer 50:01
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