IN one of the most decisive performances in the 27-year history of the race Olympian Irvette van Zyl devastated the rest of the field to win Sunday’s Durban leg of the SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge in an inaugural course record of 3 minutes 26 seconds in perfect running conditions.
Van Zyl (née Van Blerk), the 2010 and 2011 winner, set a fast pace right from the start in Masabalala Yengwa Avenue outside the Growthpoint King’s Park Stadium and had dropped off all her serious challengers including second-placed Cornelia Joubert (34:26) and third-placed Lebo-Diana Phalula (34:39) by the 5km halfway mark.
Check out our gallery from the event here
Van Zyl who was nursing a knee injury gained some confidence to take forward in her preparations for the marathon event she will run at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in August.
Unbeaten in the SPAR Grand Prix so far this year, van Zyl said her focus from now on would be exclusively for the Olympic Games Marathon which she raced at the London Olympics four years ago.
“Winning races gives you confidence,” she said. “But I also get confidence from my training. When I went to the Olympics in London I was quite overwhelmed by the occasion, but I believe this time I will be better prepared as I know what to expect,” she said.
Her effort today earned her R20 000 which she also collected for winning in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.
There was an entry of 16 074 at the close of registration late on Saturday afternoon with most women opting for the 10km run/walk and the balance signing up for the 5km fun run/walk.
Open 10km Results
1 Irvette van Zyl 33:26 (Nedbank), 2 Cornelia Joubert (Boxer) 34:26, 3 Lebo-Diana Phalula (Boxer) 34:39, 4 Rutendo Nyahora (Nedbank) 34:48, 5 Glenrose Xaba 34:50, 6 Christine Kalmer (KPMG) 35:05, 7 Mapaseka Makhanya 35:29, 8 Jenet Dlamini 35:33, 9 Tanith Maxwell 35:39, 10 Janie Grundling 35:49
