Determined Irvette bags Spar Grand Prix
JOBURG – An in-form Irvette van Zyl storms to victory in the Joburg leg of the Spar Women's Race.
An in-form and determined, Irvette van Zyl of the Nedbank Running Club, led from start to finish in the Joburg Spar Women’s 10km Challenge at the Wanderers Club to win in 34:58 minutes.
At the same time, she made sure of winning the 2016 Spar Grand Prix for the third time. Mapaseka Makhanya of the Olifantsfontein Running Club came from nowhere to claim second place in a time of 35:46, ahead of Zimbabwean, Rutendo Nyahora of Nedbank (36:00).
Van Zyl, who had to withdraw from the Olympic marathon in Rio in August because of a stress fracture in her foot, set the pace from the start and opened up a 40-second gap before the first-kilometre mark.
Van Zyl won the first three races in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban, but was unable to run in Pretoria because of her injury. “I knew what I had to do to win the Grand Prix. I got into the lead on the first uphill and decided that I was going to run my own race. If the others wanted to catch me, it was up to them,” said an elated Van Zyl.
“I’m so happy to have won and I’m so glad it’s over – I’ve had nightmares about this race for about four weeks. I really wanted to win, to make up for my Olympic Games disappointment. I had planned to use the Olympic Games to compensate for my previous Olympic disappointment when I had to drop out of the race in London, so I really need something good to happen.”
With Van Zyl in command throughout the race, the real battle was for second place. Nyahora and last year’s winner, Lebogang Phalula ran together for the first seven kilometres with the lead changing hands frequently, before Makhanya surged ahead to claim second spot.
“I have been battling with injury for some time and it was good to be running pain-free,” said Makhanya. “I’m very strong mentally and I’m very patient and I used my patience today to surge at the right time. This 10km race is part of my training for the Shanghai Marathon at the end of October and I’m feeling very good,” she said.
Nyahora said she was very happy to be on the podium and was delighted to see her teammate, Irvette van Zyl back on form. “The Spar race is always very important to me,” said Nyahora.
To view results of all runners visit: Spar Women’s Race finish time
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