Van Jaarsveld content with Colgate Race performance
She finished the women's 15km race in 01:00:22, 12 seconds behind winner Gillian Farquharson.
Kate van Jaarsveld settled for second place in the women’s 15km race after her Nedbank Running Club teammate, Gillian Farquharson, beat her to the top prize at the Colgate Race at Boksburg Stadium on May 5.
This was the Farrarmere resident’s second successive runner-up finish and her third podium finish in a row after winning the race in 2022.
While a win would have been ideal for Van Jaarsveld, she was ecstatic with her performance and chuffed seeing Farquharson continue her winning momentum after she won the Miway Wally Hayward half-marathon women’s title, on May 1.
“Gillian kept pushing me the whole way and overtook me in the last 500m. I just couldn’t keep up. She ran an excellent race. Congratulations,” said Van Jaarsveld.
The two runners stood side by side at the start of the race and jogged and stretched together when the race was delayed by a few minutes.
When the gun went off, they stuck together. However, Van Jaarsveld let down the gauntlet with 2km to the finish, but faded coming into the stadium, allowing Farquharson to grab the win.
“We ran most of the way together. Gillian motivated me all the way. In the last 2km, I managed to get a little bit ahead of her but I ended up going too soon too fast. About 500m to the finish, she opened a gap on me and managed to maintain it. Well done to her,” she said.
Fresh from a personal milestone of 14th place and a silver medal at the Totalsports Two Oceans Half-Marathon last month, Van Jaarsveld expressed pride in her performance.
“I feel good about it. I always try to finish first but due to time constraints, the ability for me to train is becoming increasingly difficult.”
Farquharson coasted to victory in 01:00:08 while Van Jaarsveld clocked 01:00:22. Irun top runner, Kelly-Lynn Barkley grabbed the third spot in 01:02:07.
“It was a lovely race. I enjoyed it. I love running next to Kate. She pushed me nicely and we kept a nice concentration. I enjoyed the route. It was nice and challenging with some elevation. I didn’t expect to win,” said Farquharson.
Main race
Carol Smith defended her women’s 32km title after winning the race in 02:13:25 while Clifford Malatjie, from the Johannesburg Football Referees AC, clinched the men’s title.
Carol’s twin, Cobie, grabbed the second spot as they made it a top two finish, with Cobie completing the race 32 seconds after her sister.
Melinda Janse van Vuuren rounded-up the podium on 02:16:17.
Malatjie clocked 01:50:06 for the men’s title. Behind him was Tinashe Guni of Chillie Running Club, who crossed the line 09:56 minutes later for the silver medal. James Mgcina completed the top three in 02:00:01.
Silas Matlou and Trinity Henning won the men’s and women’s 5km fun run.
Also Read: Double delight for Smith sisters at Colgate Race
Also Read: Van Jaarsveld gears up for Colgate Race
