Lebogang Phalula flies solo through Maritzburg SPAR Women’s 10/5km
Sunday 7 August
Lebogang Phalula (Boxer) flew through the finish line in this morning’s (Sunday 7 August) Maritzburg SPAR Women’s 10/5km in a respectable time of 34.41 – slicing off 1min 29secs off last year’s winning time.
The visibly relaxed athlete, whose only quest was to win the race, said after her run, “I managed to break away from the seeded runners in the first kilometre of the race, and I was pretty much alone from there on. I asked my friend Cornelia (Joubert) to stick with me for this race but she was unable to.”
“This was my first Maritzburg race, and I was not expecting so many hills, which were pretty tough, but I did enjoy it especially from the 8km mark where it was pretty much a downhill stride for me – it felt like I was floating.”
There is much excitement in the Phalula household as her sister, Lebo will be representing South Africa at the Rio Olympics in the Marathon this coming Sunday. For Lebogang, her focus is on the Totalsports 10km Race taking place in Johannesburg on Women’s Day.
Finishing 75 seconds behind Phalulua, Jenet Dlamini, (Umzimkhulu) crossed the line in a time of 35.56 followed by Cornelia Joubert (Boxer) 45 seconds later in 36.41.
Dlamini from Umzimkhulu stated that overall she was happy with her race, “It was a tough run for me having run the Hammarsdale 10km race last week so my legs were a bit tired.”
It was also Joubert’s first experience at the Maritzburg SPAR Women’s race, and although she was unfamiliar with the route, she was aiming for a top five position. “I was pleased with my result and my time even after having rested quite a bit this week as I had pushed myself in the 21.1km SA Champs in PE, where I finished tenth last weekend.”
There were a record number of entries this year of 4039 that competed in ideal running conditions. The capital of KwaZulu-Natal was slightly overcast with a bit of a nip in the air. The youngest runner clocked in at 9 years old and the oldest runner was 73 year old Beryl Trussler who finished in a time of 53.29.
Alexandra High athlete, Thembekile Mthimunye (17) took the honours in the 5km race breezing through in a time of 25.47.
“Well done to everyone who came out to brave the slight chill in the air. It was particularly festive this year, perhaps young and old alike have been inspired by the spirit of the Olympic Games in Rio? Whatever the reason, it was a joy to see so many people coming out in force to participate and have so much fun,” said MD for SPAR KZN, Rob Philipson.
The official race charity CHOC, will receive R8000 donation from the race entries.
Results
10km Open
1 Lebogang Phalula (Boxer) 34.41, 2 Jenet Dlamini (Umzimkhulu) 35.56, 3 Cornelia Houbert (Boxer) 36.41, 4 Jen Challenor (KPMG) 37.01, 5 Makhosi Mhlongo (Savages) 38.08, 6 Anet Coetzee 38.27, 7 Sizisandele Mkhize 39.14, 8 Janene Carey (Boxer) 39.48, 9 Suzette Botha (Eskom) 39.50, 10 Abigail Solms 41.31
15 – 19 years
1 Nosihle Phungula 47.45, 2 Fezeka Hadebe 50.55, 3 Kirsten Ahrens 1.05.18
35 – 39 years
1 Jen Challenor 37.01, 2 Nonsikelelo Mbambo 43.26, 3 Sindiswe Jali 49.39
40 – 49 years
1 Janene Carey 39.48, 2 Suzette Botha 39.50, 3 Xolisile Mwelase 47.04
50 – 59 years
1 Elana Pessenbacher 50.41, 2 Robyn Mellett 53.55, 3 Ntombifikile Mtungwa 57.27
60+ years
1 Sandra Fismer 47.53, 2 Jenny Tauloe 53.06, 3 Barbara Wright 1.10.01
-ends