
On a very chilly afternoon Mapaseka Makhanya rewrote the record books wining the Pretoria leg of SPAR Women’s Challenge 10km.
This event, which took place on Saturday August 31, saw some 25 000 athletes participating in the largest race staged for women in Africa.
Makhanya romped home in a record 33:37 minutes to win 10km Challenge. Her emphatic victory means the Transnet runner is virtually assured of winning the SPAR Grand Prix prize of a Nissan Micra car after the Johannesburg leg of the Challenge series in October.
Last year’s Grand Prix winner, Rene Kalmer, finished second in 33:56 and her Nedbank teammate, Irvette van Zyl (formerly Van Blerk) was third, in 34:21. The first four athletes all broke the record (34:50) set by Kalmer in 2011.“I had a great run,” said Makhanya “Rene and I ran together for a while, but I pulled away from her at about five and a half kilometres. It was quite a tough course – hilly and windy – but I was quite comfortable until the last two kilometres, which were downhill and really hard on my legs. But when you win, you forget about all the discomfort.”
Kalmer, who was coming back from an injury that she sustained during the Boston Marathon, said she was happy with her run.
Results of the SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge race at SuperSport Park on Saturday are:
Open: 1. Mapaseka Makhanya, 2. Rene Kalmer, 3. Irvette van Zyl, 4. Rutendo Nyahora, 5. Jenna Challenor, 6 Christine Kalmer, 7. Myrette Filmater, 8. Cornelia Joubert, 9. Diana-Lebo Phalula,10. Nolene Conrad.
Juniors: 1. Alicia Labuschagne 39:33, 2. Olivia Labuschagne, 3 Cindy Labuschagne.
Veterans: 1. Thabitha Tsatsa 36:42, 2. Ronel Thomas, 3. Janene Carey.
Master: 1. Grace de Oliviera 42:42, 2. Elsabe Brink, 3. Frances van Blerk.
Grandmaster: Sonja Laxton 44:30, 2. Lyn de Bruin, 3. Patricia Shaw.
Great-grandmaster: 1. Deirdre Larkin 57:29, 2. Mavis Stadle, 3. Jeanette Loots.