Nyahora wins SPAR women’s race for second time in a row
Zimbabwean Rutendo Nyahora won another round in her longtime rivalry with the Phalula sisters in Saturday’s SPAR women’s race in Centurion.
Zimbabwe’s Rutendo Nyahora managed to successfully defend her title as champion of the Pretoria SPAR Women’s Challenge when she won the 10km race in Centurion on Saturday.
The 27-year-old Nyahora, who finished the race in 35 minutes and 26 seconds, saw off a challenge from one of her biggest rivals, Lebo Phalula, who finished a few seconds behind her in 35 minutes and 40 seconds.
Photo: Koos Venter
Nyahora’s time was a bit slower than her winning time last year (34:54), but it must be said that this year’s race was ran in very hot conditions. They say Pretoria does not have spring or autumn. This was proved right again at the race in Centurion. It was supposed to be a nice spring day, but the sun started stinging early morning already. When the race started, it was already very hot and some of the athletes really struggled. The medics on duty had their hands full to assist all the athletes who needed help due to heat exhaustion.
Lebo Phalula finished second in a time of 35:40, which is also a bit slower than her time last year when she ended in the same position. Her sister, Lebogang, who was one of the favourites to win the race in the absence of Irvette van Zyl, could not achieve a top three position.
In third position was Glenrose Xaba from the Eskom Athletics Club in a time of 36 minutes and 13 seconds.
Van Zyl, the frontrunner in the SPAR Grand Prix series, unfortunately had to withdraw from the race in her hometown. She is still struggling with the foot injury that kept her out of the marathon at the Olympic Games.
The race was once again the highlight of the SPAR Grand Prix series and nearly 25 000 Pretorians braved the heat and took to the streets of Centurion, which was turned into a stream of blue shirts. There was once again the fat ones, the thin ones, the old ones, the young ones and quite a few babies in strollers. Then there was again hundreds of men who have done their bit for charity by taking part in the women’s race. These men once again braved the trail decked out in wigs, dresses and sometimes high-heel shoes.
This race has become an undeniable part of Pretoria’s spring culture and hopefully all the participants were inspired to continue exercising for next year’s race.
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