Mbombela, Mpumalanga, South Africa: Breaking away from a strong field in the closing stages, defending series champion Tadu Nare (Nedbank) produced another sterling performance on Saturday, winning the fourth leg of the SPAR Grand Prix in Mbombela.
In a tactical race held on an undulating course at 700m altitude, Nare showed some patience in the first half before slamming down the hammer in the closing stages to draw clear of fellow Ethiopian athlete Selam Gebre (Nedbank).
Nare completed the 10km race in 32:28, slicing 15 seconds off the course record she set last year to secure her third straight SPAR Grand Prix victory.
Gebre, who held the series lead going into the Mbombela contest, took second position for the fourth race in succession in 32:51.
“It was tough for me today, to be honest. It was very cold and I couldn’t keep my body warm. It was also a tough course with lots of ups and down,” Nare said afterwards.
“So I’m not really satisfied with my time, but considering the challenges and the route, I’m happy with my result.”
While the two Ethiopian stars managed to drop the rest of the field in the second half, there was a tremendous battle behind them for third place.
Ugandan athlete Docus Ajok, making her SPAR Grand Prix debut, admitted she too had struggled in the conditions, though she managed to hold on to take the last podium place in 33:25.
She edged out Blandina Makatisi (Maxed Elite) of Lesotho, who grabbed fourth spot in 33:38, and former series champion Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) was the first South African across the line, finishing fifth in 33:34.
“After 5km I started to struggled because I competed in Durban last week and I haven’t recovered properly,” Ajok said.
“The cold weather was a problem and the route was tough, so I’m grateful that I managed to finish in the top three.”
The fifth of six legs in the SPAR Grand Prix series will be held in Tshwane on Saturday, 5 August 2023.
ENDS.
Results of the SPAR Grand Prix 10km run at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday, 15 July 2023
Senior Category:
- Tadu Nare (Nedbank) 32:28; 2. Selam Gebre (Nedbank) 32:51; 3. Docus Ajok (Newton Sports Agency) 33:25; 4. Blandina Makatisi (Maxed Elite) 33:28; 5. Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) 33:34; 6. Cacisile Sosibo (Boxer) 33:40; 7. Cian Oldknow (Hollywood) 34:32; 8. Kesa Molotsane (Murray & Roberts) 34:43; 9. Lebo Phalula (Boxer) 35:15; 10. Lebogang Phalula (Boxer) 36:35
Junior Category:
- Jackie Coertze (Boxer) 38:41; 2. Corlize Stoltz (Boxer) 39:12; 3. Mart Mari Jordaan (Boxer) 39:35
40-49 Category:
- Kathrine Skosana (Boxer) 40:01; 2. Simone Botha (Boxer) 40:04; 3. Chantal Middel-Bovee (Definition Athletics Club) 46:02
50-59 Category:
1.Ronel Thomas (Boxer) 41:10; 2. Janene Carey (Phantane) 41:37; 3. Sonne Odendaal (Lowmed) 44:07
60-69 Category:
- Judy Bird (Boxer) 41:20; 2. Allison Hay (Lowmed) 50:48; 3. Sandy Mclagan (Nedbank LVCC) 01:00:49
70+ Category:
1.Martie van Putten (RWFL Mpumlanga) 01:12:28
2023 SPAR GRAND PRIX CALENDAR
Cape Town – Sunday, 23 April 2023 – Green Point Precinct
Gqeberha – Saturday, 27 May 2023 – Pollok Beach, Summerstrand
Durban – Sunday, 25 June 2023 – Kings Park Stadium
Mbombela – Saturday, 15 July 2023 – Mbombela Stadium
Tshwane – Saturday, 5 August 2023 – SuperSport Park
Joburg – Sunday, 1 October 2023 – Marks Park Sporting Club
SPAR GRAND PRIX WEBSITE: https://www.sparwomensrace.co.za
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FREE TO USE PICTURES
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Athletes: Tadu Nare (Nedbank) of Ethiopia leads the front pack at the 1km mark of the 10km SPAR Grand Prix in Mbombela. To the immediate left and right of Nare are South African Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) and Blandina Makatisi (Maxed Elite) of Lesotho. Picture Credit: Reg Caldecott
Athletes2: Podium finishers at the 5km mark of the 10km SPAR Grand Prix in Mbombela on Saturday are Ethiopians Selam Gebre and Tadu Nare both of Nedbank with Ugandan Docus Ajok in the distance, who ran her maiden SPAR Grand Prix. Picture Credit: Reg Caldecott
Glenrose Xaba: Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) was the first South Africa home in the 10km SPAR Grand Prix Mbombela on Saturday. Xaba finished the 10km race in 33:34. Pictured is Xaba ahead of Blandina Makatisi (Maxed Elite) of Lesotho with Cacisile Sosibo (Boxer) in the distance. Picture Credit: Reg Caldecott
Tadu Nare: Ethiopian Tadu Nare of Nedbank won the 2023 SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge in Mbombela on Saturday, 15 July 2023. Nare, the defending champion won the race ahead of second placed Gebre in a time of 32:28. Picture Credit: Reg Caldecott
Tadu Nare2: Ethiopian Tadu Nare of Nedbank won the 2023 SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge in Mbombela on Saturday, 15 July 2023. Nare, the defending champion won the race ahead of second placed Gebre in a time of 32:28. Picture Credit: Reg Caldecott
Top 3 Finishers: The top 3 finishers of the 2023 SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge in Mbombela on Saturday, 15 July 2023 are from left Ethiopians Selam Gebre (Nedbank) 2nd and Tadu Nare (Nedbank) 1st and Ugandan, Docus Ajok 3rd. Picture Credit: Reg Caldecott
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This media release was compiled and distributed by BLD Communications on behalf of the SPAR Grand Prix series. Media can contact Dineo Diphoko for further information on 083 300 8268 / dineo@thebldgroup.com.