Xaba heads strong women’s field at FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN

THE 2017 FNB Joburg 10km CityRun will boast an exceptionally strong women’s field on September 24.

The event will start at 08.00am FNB Bank City, Johannesburg and finish at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown.

Headlining the act, and arguably the favourite, is the double SA Cross Country Champion, Glenrose Xaba. The 21-year-old seems to relish the tougher races. This was evident at the South African Cross Country Championships in Potchefstroom on September 9 where she decimated both the 10km and 4km senior women’s fields in hot and dusty conditions.

Judging by how Xaba was able to destroy her opposition on Saturday, it is safe to say that she just might be the athlete to beat on Sunday. Although she is in exceptional form, she will not be able to rest on her laurels as the line-up for the FNB Joburg 10k CityRun shows some real depth.

“The Cross Country Championship titles have given me real confidence. Beating Kesa (Molotsane) in the 10km and dominating the 4km proved that I am in really good form at the moment. I am looking forward to September 24,” said Xaba. “It is, however, a strong field. So I won’t be able to take it easy.”

Cornelia Joubert, the Phalula twins – Lebo and Lebogang, Irvette van Zyl and Rutendo Nyahora will be snapping at Xaba’s heels. None of these athletes should be underestimated. Joubert has been on a roll in 2017, clocking personal bests in both the 10km (33:46 – Cape Town, April 2) and Half Marathon (72:31 – Port Elizabeth, June 24) the latter winning the National Half Marathon Championships.

While Lebo Phalula has been off the circuit in 2017, sister Lebogang has been her usual dangerous self on the roads, finishing outside the top five only once in nine 10km races with three wins. Like Joubert and Xaba, she too likes the tough courses.

And then there is the ever dangerous Rutendo Nyahora. Ru, as she is affectionately known in the running community, was second in the 2016 edition of the race and has been keeping the women honest in 2017 with some solid performances. Her most recent ‘best run’ was in Pietermaritzburg (20 August) when she finished second behind Kesa Molotsane by 13 seconds and was only a mere 3 seconds ahead of Van Zyl.

For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.

Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. You can also email our offices on cvdwalt@caxton.co.za, juliem@caxton.co.za or luckyt@caxton.co.za

Add us on WhatsApp today! Comaro Chronicle: 079 427 8074 and Southern Courier: 079 404 5789.