Recording her first defeat in a Spar Grand Prix series race in over 5 years, Nedbank running club’s Tadu Nare has vowed to come back for the remainder of the series to reclaim her overall Grand Prix title after finishing 2nd at the Tshwane leg of the series over the weekend.
Starting out hard, Nare went straight into the lead with South Africa’s Glenrose Xaba alongside her, with the two having a ding-dong battle until the 7-kilometre mark. It was on the slight incline where Xaba surged and Nare did not have an answer for, as she gradually faded over the last 3 kilometres to finish 2nd in 34:53, exactly two minutes behind Xaba who took victory.
After the race, Nare had explained that she had not been feeling well. “I did not feel great today as I have been having some stomach problems,” said Nare. “If I was at home, I would not have even started but because a lot of effort happens for me to come out for the series, I knew that I just had to try my best.”
Nare was full of praise for Xaba. “I am really happy that she managed to win because she is growing as an athlete and her improvement has been great. I will now look forward to running the last two races of the series.”
Behind her, Nedbank running club teammates Millicent Nyaberi and Faith Kiptoo from Nedbank running club Kenya, finished in 6th and 9th respectively, running times of 36:20 and 37:02. In the women’s 40-49 category, Jeannie Henderson claimed a podium spot in 3rd running 39:38. In the master’s category, Tabitha Tsatsa finished 3rd in 44:10.
Nare will now focus on the upcoming Totalsports Ladies 10km in Cape Town on Friday where she will join teammate Diniya Abaraya and look for victory. On Monday Nare travelled to Cape Town to base herself for the race and is said to already be feeling better having gotten in some good training this week ahead of the race.
SPAR 10KM CHALLENGE RESULTS
Results from the SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge at SuperSport Park on Saturday
Senior:
1. Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) 00.32.53; 2. Tadu Nare (Nedbank) 00.34.53: 3. Cacisile Sosibo (Boxer) 00.35:21; 4. Lebo Phalula-Mzazi (Boxer) 00.35:55; 5. Carmie Prinsloo (Tuks) 00.36:01; 6. Millicent Nyaberi (Nedbank) 00.36:20; 7. Malineo Mahloko (Maxed Elite) 00.36:37; 8. Karabo More (Masai) 00.36.55 9. Faith Kiptoo (Nedbank) 00.37:02; 10. Caster Semenya 00.37:14
Junior:
1. Wiepke Schoeman (Boxer) 00.38:45; 2. Jackie Coertze (Boxer) 00.40:56; 3. Stephanie Verschoor (Boxer) 00.42:45
40-49:
1. Lebo Phalula-Mzazi (Boxer) 00.35:55; 2. Lebogang Phalula-Luthuli (Boxer) 00.38:14; 3. Jeannie Henderson 00.39:38
50-59:
1. Anne Stewart (Atlantic) 00.42:11; 2. Janene Carey (Boxer) 00.43:26; 3. Tabitha Tsatsa (Nedbank) 00.44.10
60-69:
1. Judy Bird (Boxer) 00.43.37; 2. Karen Brough (Boxer) 00.48:49; 3. Grace de Oliviera (Maxed Elite) 00.52:19
70+:
1. Winnie Koekemoer (AGN Masters) 01.01:15; 2. Lettie Coetzee (Pretoria Bobbies) 01.05:29: 3. Annatjie Greyvenstein (Irene) 01.06:46