Ethiopian star secures the 2022 SPAR Grand Prix title with victory in Cape Town
Ethiopia's young road race sensation, Tadu Nare, has clinched the SPAR Grand Prix Women's 10km Challenge title for a second year in a row with another good win in the final race of the 2022 series.
Ethiopian Tadu Nare (Nedbank) clinched her second successive SPAR Grand Prix title when she won the Cape Town SPAR Grand Prix Women’s 10km Challenge in Greenpoint on Sunday.
She finished in 31:53 minutes.
Her compatriot and teammate Selam Gebre ended second in 32:18. The 2019 SPAR Grand Prix winner, Namibian Helalia Johannes (Nedbank) finished third in 32:21.
The first South African home was 2017 SPAR Grand Prix winner Kesa Molotsane (Murray & Roberts).
Photo: Petri Oeschger
Nare’s victory means she has clinched the 2022 SPAR Grand Prix title, after winning five of the six races. Johannes won the first race in Gqeberha in May with Nare finishing second.
Nare said she hoped to compete in the SPAR Grand Prix next year, but that depended on her programme and other commitments. She said she was finishing off the house she started building with her prize money last year, and she had also bought some land in her home country as an investment.
Photo: Petri Oeschger
Molotsane said the international athletes who competed in the SPAR races had been very good for South African running.
“But we need to do more. We need investment in training camps for runners, possibly on a regional basis. We also need medical and nutritional support for athletes,” Molotsane remarked.
Kovsie (University of Free State) runner Louzanne Coetzee made history when she became the first blind runner to complete a SPAR 10km race, running with her guide Claus Kempen. She finished in 28th place in 40:16 minutes. Coetzee recently ran in the London Marathon so she could qualify for the Paralympic Games in Paris in 2024.
Photo: Petri Oeschger
“I compete in the 1500 metres and in the Marathon at the Paralympics, and I wanted to get the marathon qualification out of the way so that I can focus on track running next year. I loved being part of the SPAR race today. SPAR is doing a good job by breaking barriers and being inclusive,” said Coetzee.
Former track and cross-country great, Zola Budd Pieterse, also took part in Sunday’s race. Pieterse, now 56, is living and coaching in Stellenbosch these days. She said she was impressed by the standard of running in South Africa.
Photo: Petri Oeschger
“Female African runners are the best in the world, with the Kenyans dominant. I am impressed by the depth of talent among female South African runners,” said Pieterse.
According to the legendary athlete, events like the SPAR Grand Prix and SPAR Women’s Challenge races and fun run are very important to promote running among women.
“The vibe in these races is great and it is good to see a race where the women are running while the men stand on the side-lines and take care of the children. Many women take up running after taking part in races like these. To age well, you have to remain active and running is a part of that,” Pieterse concluded.
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