Ethiopian Gezashigh Hunduma Gemeda, running in the Nedbank colours, romped to victory in the SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge at the Wanderers Club in Johannesburg on Sunday October 13.
She recorded a time of 33:49 minutes to beat South African half marathon champion Rene Kalmer (Nedbank). Kalmer was second in 34:31, followed by Rutendo Nyahora, also Nedbank, in 35 minutes. Lebo-Diana Phalula (Maxed Elite) was fourth, in 35:37 minutes.
Running on the new route through some of Johannesburg’s leafy northern suburbs, Nyahora took the early lead, but the Ethiopian, who arrived in South Africa on Saturday, surged to the front after three kilometres, and retained her lead for the rest of the race.“It was a lovely race – I liked the route and I enjoyed the atmosphere,” said Gemeda.
Kalmer said she had an awesome race. “It feels good to be running injury free again, and I was feeling very good. I didn’t know what to expect from Gezashigh, because I haven’t run against her before, but I tried my very best and I am pleased with the way I ran,” she said. “I feel I am back in the swing of things, and I am looking forward to next year.” “It is slightly bittersweet to lose to a foreigner running in my own club colours, but it is always good to test yourself against world class runners,” said Kalmer.
The leader on the SPAR Grand Prix ladder, Mapaseka Makhanya, who won the Durban and Pretoria legs of the series, finished outside the top 10, but she had built up such a substantial lead that she will still receive the keys to the Nissan Micra presented to the overall Grand Prix winner. Irvette van Zyl, who was the only runner who could overtake her, was unable to run on Sunday because of a knee injury.
Sonja Laxton ran in her 80th SPAR Women’s Challenge.
Nearly eleven thousand women took part in the 10km Challenge and the 5km Fun Run, which meant the designated charity, Reach for Recovery, which is a support group for breast cancer patients, received a substantial cheque.
Results of the 10km:
Open:
1 Gezashigh Hunduma Gemeda (Nedbank) 33:49; 2 Rene Kalmer (Nedbank CGA) 34:31; 3 Rutendo Nyahora (Nedbank AGN) 35:00; 4 Lebo Diana Phalula (Maxed Elite) 35:37; 5 Lavinia Haitope (Nedbank AGN) 36:15; 6 Cornelia Joubert (Nedbank CG) 36:29; 7 Christine Kalmer (Nedbank CGA) 36:47; 8 Jenna Challenor (Boxer AC) 36:54; 9 Myrette Filmalter (Nedbank AGN) 37:01; 10 Nolene Conrad (Nedbank CGA) 37.06;
Juniors: 1 Carina Viljoen (Hs Randburg Atletiekklub) 39:37; 2 Nobuhle Tshuma (Elim Clinic AC) 40:25; 3 Robyn Claire Katlenburn (Benoni) 41:46
40-19 years: 1 Ronel Thomas (Boxer) 40:48; 2 Janene Carey (Boxer) 41:10; 3 Gillian Sieling (Nedbank CGA) 41:12
50-59 years: 1 Grace de Oliveira (Boxer) 42:41; 2 Elsabe Brink (New Balance) 45:32; 3 Sandra Brookstone 45:55
60+: 1 Sonja Laxton (RAC) 45:59; 2 Anne Bellomusto (Morningside Cc) 51:39; 3 Penny Visser (Breakthru Midrand Striders) 55:13
