SA women gear up for Grand Prix finale

Diana-Lebo Phalula, who is virtually assured of winning the Grand Prix, started training again earlier this week after a break to recover from a hamstring injury.

Phalula won the Cape Town and Port Elizabeth legs of the race, and top four finishes in Durban and Pretoria earned her an almost unbeatable lead of 28 points over her nearest rival, Rene Kalmer.

Phalula’s twin sister, Lebogang, who won the Durban race and finished third in Pretoria, said she was aiming to finish second on the Grand Prix log.

“Lebo can win the car this year, but I also need a car, and I’ll be aiming to win the car next year,” said Lebogang.

“In the meantime, I want to finish second on the log and win the R30,000 prize.”

Lebogang Phalula won the Cape Town Marathon 10km race on Sunday in 33 minutes 22 seconds, and travels to the Netherlands later this week to run in a 10km race in Amsterdam.

“I’m quite happy with my form. I’m doing well, but I’m not happy with my times. I wanted to run 32 minutes, and I haven’t achieved that yet, but that is my aim for next year. And next year, I will be going all out to win the car.”

Rene Kalmer was scheduled to run the Berlin Marathon on Sunday, on what has been described as the world’s fastest marathon course. Kalmer has won the Grand Prix three times.

Irvette van Zyl, had been expected to shine in the Cape Town marathon last Sunday, but had to drop out of the race because of a recurring knee injury. It is not clear at this stage if she will be fit to run in the final Challenge race, but if she is fully fit, she could well challenge for second place on the Grand Prix log.

– Sapa