Durban SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge – Elite runner embraces tough rivalry
In 2024, the Durban SPAR Women's 10/5km Challenge had a participation of 12 000 entries, and one of those participants was a Morningside resident who has achieved impressive results over the three years she has run the race. Her positive strides once again see her lace up for the 2025 edition.
BUSIE Chamane (30) admits that being a professional athlete was never part of her career plan but this year she plans to make her strides show at the SPAR Women’s 10km/5km Challenge.
Initially she jogged and exercised casually to keep fit. Then a member of an athletics club spotted her talent and persuaded her to take running seriously; however, she was still not swayed. In 2021 and 2022, realising that the running bug would not let go, she joined the Black Diamond Athletics Club. Her speciality is 10km and 21km, which has seen her participate in an array of races across the country.
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Boosting her newly-found path was coming in third at the 2022 Durban International Marathon over a 10km distance.
In the same year, she made her debut in the Durban SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge, where she secured an impressive time of 37.40.
Last year, she improved her time to 35.29, a personal achievement.
She will again show up for the 10km race this year. “My goal this year is to beat a 35 mark, and to be in the top 10. A win would be a bonus,” she shared.
“I would advise women to take part in the Durban SPAR Women’s Challenge, both elite and social runners. This race is different; it’s such a colourful vibe for everyone involved, and Durban weather is always a cherry on top. And for me, an elite runner, it provides me with an opportunity to run with and against the world’s best.”
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On balancing her 09:00 to 17:00 job and running competitively, she said, “It’s all about time management. And it’s advantageous that I do not work the weekends, when races take place.”
Chamane acknowledges that Ethiopians and Kenyans are always tough competition, however, she is not shaken. “I give credit to women who have achieved before, but that does not deter my spirit. I embrace pressure, my nerves are laced with steel, and the only thing in my mind is to beat my previous time,” she concluded.
She dreams of running international races and carving her name in history books.
The Durban SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge will take place on June 22 at Hollywoodbets Kings Park
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