It was yet another runaway for Nedbank running club Ethiopia’s Tadu Nare who took victory in the 2nd leg of the Spar Ladies Grand Prix 10km which was held on Sunday in Cape Town. Not only was the victory dominant, but Nare’s time of 31:28 was the 6th fastest time ever run on South African soil.
When the starters gun was fired at the Green Point athletics track, the question always was not who will win, but how fast would Nare run. Going straight into the lead, Nare time trialled the 10km course which ran along the Sea Point beachfront road and never looked back as she crossed the line almost 3 minutes ahead of the 2nd placed finisher.
“Again, I am happy with the way I ran today,” said Nare through an interpreter. “The course was flatter than the first leg we did, and it was easy for me to breath because we are at sea level and I train at very high altitude in Ethiopia,” laughed Nare.
For her efforts, Nare picked up another R25 000 winners’ cheque and is now clear ahead at the top of the Grand Prix standings with 50 points and 4 races to run. With the series now moving to Durban this weekend, Nare is well on her way to be crowned series winner and R190 000 first prize. “I am looking forward to running in Durban this weekend and I will again aim to run fast because the course in Duran is quick.”
Teammates Patience Murowe and Stella Marais both repeated their top 10 performances from the first leg, finishing 5th and 9th. Marais time of 35:10 just missed her personal best by 10 seconds. Both Murowe and Marais will be in action at the Durban race.
In the age category’s, Nedbank RC was well represented. Ursula Frans finished 3rd in the 50-59 category in 43:44 with teammate Annatjie Botes from Nedbank RC SWD taking 2nd in the 60-69 category in a very quick 43:54.
In Dundee, the Prince Mangosuthu 52km ultra marathon was held with huge prize money on offer with R100 000 going to the victor. Veteran Peter Muthubi ran a well-judged race to finish 4th overall as well as first veteran in a time of 3:02:11. The former Comrades gold medallist has had a great 2021 season, also dipping under 64 minutes this year for the half marathon distance which was his lifetime best. In the women’s race, Ntombesintu Mfunzi ran brilliantly to finish 2nd in 3:46:00, picking up R50 000 for her effort.
In the Western Province cross country championships, Nedbank RC athlete Anthony Timoteus was crowned Western Province champion as he took victory in the senior men’s 4km. “It was a very tough course not meant for fast running today but this is what cross country is about,” said Timoteus. “It gives me a good indication of where m fitness is and I am looking forward to the South African championships in 2 weeks’ time.”