Transnet’s Mapaseka Speedsta Makhanya is celebrating.
The 28-year-old runner won the Pretoria leg of the Spar Women’s Challenge series at Supersport Park recently and ensured that it is almost impossible for any other runner to overtake her, even though there is still one race to go, and win the Nissan Micra that will be handed over to the winner of the 2013 Spar Grand Prix.
Mapaseka won the Pretoria race in a record time of 33 minutes and 37 seconds, which granted her 30 Grand Prix points. She now has a total of 97 points – 29 ahead of her nearest rival, former Grand Prix winner Irvette van Zyl who has 68 points.
The only way for Irvette to overtake Mapaseka would be if the Transnet runner missed the final race in Johannesburg on Sunday 13 October, and Irvette won the maximum 30 points by winning the race at the Wanderers in a record time.
“I’m really excited about the thought of winning a car,” said a beaming Mapaseka.
“It really is something different and special. I can’t wait to collect the keys and drive away in my brand new car.”
The Kalmer sisters – René and Christine – are in joint third position, with 63 points. Last year’s Grand Prix winner René Kalmer has had a year plagued by injury and illness.
She was unable to run the Port Elizabeth race because of an injury she sustained in the Boston Marathon on Monday 15 April.
However, she appears to be on her way back to her best, finishing second to Mapaseka on Saturday, also inside the record she set in 2011.
“It’s been a hard year,” René said.
“But I’m feeling good again and happy with my running. I’m back in the groove. I want to finish in the top three in the Grand Prix,” she added.
Irvette, who also has battled with injury since the London Marathon in April, was delighted to be back among the top Grand Prix contenders.
“I’ve had a knee injury and a numb foot, but the knee is all right now, and I’m getting treatment for the foot. I was so happy to be able to complete the race on Saturday without stopping. My third place felt like a win, and it was such a bonus that I finished inside Rene’s record,” she said.
The Grand Prix runner-up will receive R30 000, and the third-placed runner will receive R17 500.
