Nedbank running club Ethiopia’s Tadu Nare did what she does best this past weekend showing the field a clean pair of heels as the 20 year old athlete made it 5 out of 5 victories at the Johannesburg leg of the Spar Grand Prix series.
When the gun sounded the start of the 2 lap course at Marks Park, Nare shot to the front from the word go, although running well within herself on the first lap, she was unchallenged. “Tadu has to go back to Ethiopia after every race as she only gets a 5 day visa so all the travelling together with marathon training has left her a little tired,” said Nedbank RC National team manager Nick Bester. “Her aim for this race was just to run for the win and not push for any times. Next week she will be going for her quickest time possible.”
Crossing the line in her slowest time yet of the series in 33:20, her time still placed her over a minute ahead of the 2nd placed finisher. Nedbank RC teammate Irvette Van Zyl continues her journey back to the top after injury, finishing an impressive 3rd in 34:40 to secure her first podium of the series after a 4th last week in Tshwane.
“Today was just about winning the race and maintaining my lead on the table,” said Nare after the race. “I am in the middle of marathon training so the Spar races have been helping me with my preparation.” Nare will be running her debut marathon next month in Barcelona. “Next week is the final in Gqeberha and if the weather is good, I want to run under 31 minutes.” Should Nare achieve this, it will rank as one of the fastest 10km ever on South African soil. Nare already owns the 6th fastest time ever from her 31:28 victory earlier in the series in Cape Town.
Also repeating top 10 finishes in the series were Nedbank RC athletes Stella Marais and Patience Murowe. Marais finished 6th with Murowe 9th. Both athletes will be making their marathon debut later this month in Cape Town where they join Nedbank RC teammate and South African National marathon record holder Gerda Steyn who starts the race as favourite.
Nare heads into this weekend’s final clear of everyone on the Grand Prix table and will be looking to make it 6 out of 6 in Gqeberha.
Results of the Joburg SPAR Grand Prix women’s 10km run at Marks Park on Sunday, 3 October 2021
Senior: 1. Tadu Nare (Nedbank) 33:20; 2. Kesa Molotsane (Murray & Roberts) 34:34 ; 3. Irvette van Zyl (Nedbank) 34:40 4. Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) 35:24; 5. Mokulubete Makatisi (Maxed) 35:30 6. Stella Marais (Nedbank) 35:38; 7. Cian Oldknow (Murray & Roberts) 35:47; 8. Fortunate Chidzivo (Retail Capital Langa) 35:53; 9. Patience Murowe (Nedbank) 36:03 ; 10. Diana Lebo Phalula (Boxer) 36:10