The top 3 finishers (L-R) Rutendo Nyahora (2nd), Mapaseka Makhanya (Winner) and the 3rd placed Christine Kalmer in the SPAR Women’s Challenge run in Durban on Sunday, 23 June 2013. Photo: Reg Caldecott
Transnet’s Mapaseka Makhanya, better known as a track runner, cruised to victory in the SPAR Women’s Challenge in Durban on Sunday in a time of 32.49 minutes.
Rutendo Nyahora (Nedbank CGA), who won the Cape Town and Port Elizabeth races, finished second, in 33.55, followed by Christine Kalmer (Nedbank CGA), who crossed the line in 34.13. Kalmer’s sister, Rene, finished fourth, 24 seconds after her younger sister.
Sixteen-thousand 309 runners entered the 24th edition of the oldest Challenge race and the 5km Fun Run.
A young, unidentified runner stormed into the lead at the start, but she was soon overtaken by the established runners, who ran in a bunch for the first five kilometres.
Makhanya broke away at that stage, and gradually extended her lead. “I was feeling good, so I decided to go for it,” she said.
“I didn’t come here with any definite plan in mind, I just decided to run my own race. I don’t put any pressure of expectations on myself, I just want to run the best race I can.
“I am very happy to have won, but my heart is still very much with track running. I like road running, but I still have big ambitions on the track.”
Makhanya, the South African 1500 and 5000m champion, said her next big outing was a 5000m race in Europe.
Nyahora praised Makhanya, saying she had run a very good race. “I think her track running gives her a lot of speed. I am pleased with my performance today, because I ran the best race I could.”
Kalmer, who led the race for a brief period, said her third place was her best finish in a Challenge race. “I am absolutely delighted to have come third.
“I was a bit surprised when I found myself in the lead – I usually let the others go ahead and then see where I can fit in, so this was a bit unusual for me. But then Mapaseka and Rutendo overtook me, and that was that.”
Rene Kalmer said this was her first race since the Boston Marathon, where she picked up an Achilles’ tendon injury.
“I had a fantastic year last year, with the Olympic Games and a lot of other good results, and I think my body is telling me to have a bit of a break. I was pleased with my fourth position, but I am so proud of Christine coming third. She works fulltime, so coming third is a huge achievement for her.”
Maakhyana’s victory puts her in pole position on the SPAR Grand Prix table. The winner of the Grand Prix will receive a Nissan Micra car, and the runner-up will take home R30 000.
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