Ladies take on 10km race

LEBOGANG Phalula running in Transnet colours took the line honours in the SPAR Women’s 10/5km race in Durban in a time of 33.36 in a record field of 17,607 competitors on Sunday 7 June.

Phalula, the defending champion, was pushed hard by Nolene Conrad, the petite teacher from Vorentoe High School in Johannesburg, who finished only three seconds behind her. The duo spent the entire race side by side up until 800m when Phalula stepped up a gear overtaking Conrad and charging to the finish.

“At the beginning of race, the pace seemed to settle down very quickly, but I did feel the pressure of these two today,” said a delighted Phalula, pointing at Conrad and third placed, Zimbabwean Rutendo Nyahora at the press conference.

Leading up to Blue Lagoon, the front runners comprised only four of the elite athletes, with Lebogang’s sister Diana-Lebo marginally in the lead. As they made their way into the Green Hub, Diana-Lebo dropped out of the leading pack.

Making their way onto the promenade alongside the uMgeni River, the defending champ and Conrad made their break from Nyahora and slowly increased their lead on their way back towards the Moses Mabhida Stadium precinct.

Nearing the 7km mark, a look of determination came across Conrad who had fallen slightly behind, the 26-year-old strode ahead of Phalula and stayed in the lead until the final 1km.

“I just tried to stick with the girls in the first few kilometres. Then with the last few kilometers to go, I just gave it my all and I thought I had it, but then Lebogang came past me with 800 metres to go and that was that. I am happy with how I ran today. It was the first time that I actually contended for the first position and finished so high in the SPAR race. I am grateful for a good run,” said Conrad.

“I would like to say well done to the ladies, especially to Nolene, who was a big competitor today, she was very strong and was aiming for it and well done,” said Lebogang.

Rob Philipson, MD of SPAR KZN, said: “It was a wonderful event, the weather was perfect. Building up to the day we had some bad weather predicted but it was perfect. The ladies came out in force. Elite runners have constantly supported this race, and gives our event huge credibility – and it is also wonderful that amateur runners get to run with people they admire.”