FILE PICTURE: Rutendo Nyahora finishes in second place during the SPAR Womens 10km Challenge on June 23, 2013 in Durban, South Africa. The race will start at Durban Beachfront and finish at the SAHARA Stadium, Kingsmead. (Photo by Anesh Debiky/Gallo images)
“It won’t be easy as I am often my own worst enemy,” said Nyahora.
“Once you have won a race, you place pressure on yourself to do so again.
“All eyes are on you to succeed again, so this year’s race will not only be a physical challenge, but a psychological one too.”
The 25-year-old Nedbank Running Club athlete admitted the pressure got to her when she failed to defend her title at the Cape Town leg earlier this month. She placed fourth in 33 minutes 30 seconds.
“I lost focus and didn’t know how fast my competitors were going to be.
“Last year, I just ran the race without any pressure.”
She said she had been training very hard and had made it her goal to win the PE race – and improve on last year’s time of 33:09.
“This race suits me as there are no major up or downhills. It is also very well organised, the people are friendly and the support along the course motivates you.”
Although Nyahora was born and raised in Zimbabwe, she spends most of her time in Pretoria to focus on her running career.
“I decided to run in South Africa because there are not many organised races in my home country and it is difficult to get noticed if you have talent.
“Over here you have a lot of scope to prove you have what it takes.”
Nyahora, who has been running competitively since 2004, said she currently focused on 10 and 21km races, but her dream was to compete in the marathon at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
Because of her nationality, she does not qualify for the overall prizes in the six-leg Grand Prix series which forms part of the Women’s Challenge events.
– Sapa
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