GALLERY: Helalia Johannes outruns opposition to claim fourth title

IF there is anything that the latest sensation at SPAR Women’s Challenge has it is an attitude of “catch me if you can.” Helalia Johannes made no scruples of the challenge as she raked in her fourth out of four titles winning the 10km SPAR Women’s Challenge Tshwane race in a record-breaking 32 minutes and 29 seconds.

The Namibian led from start to finish to win the Tshwane race at Supersport Park on August 3 in front of a full field of more than 25 000 runners.

The first three runners are from Nedbank clubs – Johannes (Namibia), Tadu Nare (Ethiopia) and Ruthendo Nyahora (Zimbabwe). Nick Bester, Nedbank club head coach, said Johannes had pulled out all stops and is a worthy winner.

“I don’t think it was too hot or too windy, it was absolutely the best weather a runner could ask for and the reason for her running such a good time.

“She will definitely now aim to win the SPAR Grand Prix title, as I don’t think there is any runner who can beat her,” said Bester.

With only two races remaining, Pietermaritzburg and Johannesburg, she will define herself and is open for a challenge for the rest of the field to catch her in her winning ways.

Last year’s winner and defending Grand Prix champion, Glenrose Xaba (Boxer GN), finished in fifth place, in 35 minutes and 39 seconds.

Johannes was fresh from coming second in the Bogota half-marathon in Colombia, which was run at an altitude of 2 700m. She said she was excited about her last two seasons of running because she was doing better than ever before.

Johannes shot into the lead from the start and the chasing pack were not able to reel her in.

“My coach told me not to worry about anyone else, but to run my own race. I was feeling good and I am happy with my performance,” said Johannes.

She confirmed that she would run in the Pietermaritzburg SPAR Challenge later this month, but said she takes things day by day, and could not commit herself at this stage to running in the last race in Johannesburg in October.

“I am training for the World Marathon Championships and they are just before the Joburg race, so I will just have to see how I feel.”

Nare, who won the South African half marathon in Port Elizabeth last weekend, said her legs were still tired after the half marathon, but she was delighted to have finished second.

“I love the Pretoria race,” said Nyahora.

“I think it’s my favourite race and I was very happy to get a podium finish. I have had some health issues, but I am feeling stronger now.”

Former Grand Prix winner Kesa Molotsane (Murray&Roberts FS), who finished eighth, said the presence of the international athletes in the SPAR Challenge series was good for running in South Africa.

“They are spurring us on to achieve faster times and they are making it very exciting for us. I think it’s good that different people are getting onto the podium in each race,” she said.

Forty thousand nine hundred and forty people took part in the 10km challenge and the 5km fun run.

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