Run in warm and windy conditions along a 2-lap course on the Durban beachfront, Nare had some company only for the first 3 and a half km’s before putting in a telling surge that saw her steer to victory in a time of 32:06. 

Behind her, Nedbank RC teammate and Comrades Marathon record breaker Gerda Steyn hung on for 3rd in her first race back from a phenomenal Tokyo Olympic Games which saw her finish 15th in the marathon. 

“I loved being back on the roads today even though the wind was quite something,” said Steyn in the post-race press conference. “I’m happy with how my race was although I would have liked to dip under 33 minutes, but I enjoyed it and am so happy for Tadu today.” 

After a 31:28 clocking in Cape Town the week before, Nare was looking for something special in Durban. “My aim for the race was to run under 31 minutes but it was not to be today because of the wind that we faced,” said Nare. “I have one last chance to try for under 31 minutes and I will attempt it when we go to Port Elizabeth.” 

Picking up another R25 000 for the win, and a step closer to the R190 000 first prize for the winner of the series, Nare smiled when asked what she plans to do with her winnings. 

“I live in a very rural area in Ethiopia, and I enjoy farming,” said Nare. “With the money I will buy some more land to farm and also some cattle and I will also help some people in my area who are struggling.” It’s a humbleness that doesn’t show when she’s out on the road destroying her competitors. 

Nedbank RC athlete Stella Marais repeated her third top 10 finish of the series to finish 8th in a massive new PB of 34:22. The series now moves to Tshwane on 24 September which will see the 4th out of 6 events in the series.