Durbanites take on Spar Women’s Challenge

THE streets of Durban was covered in turquoise as women from all over tackled the Spar Women’s 10km or respective 5km Challenge on Sunday, 4 June.

However, it was Zimbabwean runner Betha Chikanda (21) who threw down the gauntlet from the moment the starter’s gun went off to lead from start to finish in the 29th running of this road race.

Finishing in 33:07, the petite 21 year old from Harare went out so fast from the start outside the King’s Park Athletics Stadium in Masabalala Yengwa Avenue that she left the rest of the 15-strong pack of elite runners gasping for air. Chikanda increased her lead to over 100 metres at the 2km mark which she went through in 6min 18sec.

There was no letting up by the Maxed runner as the scenic beachfront route took the field of 13,853 entrants in the country’s ‘Most Beautiful Road Race’ southwards and into a slight headwind as the sun rose in the east and burnt off the patches of cloud.

The chasing pack appeared to be losing more ground as Chikanda slipped into overdrive at the 4km flag and was still forging ahead as she passed the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium with the chasing pack dwindling in number with 3km of the race remaining which saw Glenrose Xaba, Nolene Conrad and Kesa Molotsane peeling off to mount a last gasp attack but already realising they had left themselves with too much to do and too little time left to catch the resilient Chikanda.

The Zimbabwean capped an excellent performance in her first appearance this year in the SPAR Women’s Challenge Series of six races, her winning time of 33 minutes 07 seconds averaging 3:18 for every kilometre, 20 seconds ahead of 26-year-old Glenrose Xaba of Boxer AC in Pretoria who finished in 33:27 with Western Cape runner Nolene Conrad (22, KPMG) third in 33:43 and two more Zimbabweans, Rudo Mhonderwa who was fourth in 33:53 and Rutendo Nyahora who was fifth in 34:07 making up the first five finishers.

Chikanga, who came ninth in this race last year, said her coach, Martin Ngwenya, had told her to ‘go out strong and to go for gold’.

From those who walked to those who ran their heart out – and all in between – the air of the event was filled with laughter and contentment after entrants took another great leap in the direction of self betterment. All entrants were pleased with their gift bag that was generously laden with all sorts of goodies, and their post-run pack which surely aided the recovery process. The field’s vibe kept the event one of enjoyment and gratitude all in the name of healthy living.

Competitors can view their results on www.sparwomensrace.co.za. Those interested are to note that the next Spar Women’s 10/5km Challenge race for KZN is on 19 August in Pietermaritzburg.

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