Phalula aims for victory in PE

Phalula already has one race in the bag after winning the first race in Cape Town last month.

She leads the grand prix with 30 points, and said she would do all she could to cement her place at the top.

“I’m ready for the race this weekend, I’ve done my preparations and everything has been going well,” Phalula said ahead of the race.

“I don’t want to lose any race in the grand prix this year, and I’m confident this will be my year.

“But at the same time, I understand that anything can happen in the race. You win some and lose some, and I will accept whatever outcome.”

South Africa’s top women road runners will descend on Pollock Beach on Saturday in a bid to gain vital grand prix points.

Three-time grand prix champion Rene Kalmer will be among the top contenders vying for race honours on the day.

Other notable runners to watch out for include Ethiopian Hunduma Gumeda, Zimbabwean Rutenda Nyahora, Mapaseka Makhanya, as well as Nolene Conrad, and Christine Kalmer.

Phalula said she was aware of the tough competition she faced, but would not let the pressure get to her.

“I’m going to be running against my time, which is my main focus on Saturday.

“I’m hoping to improve and better my performance so I won’t really focus on what the other ladies are doing.

“The PE course is my favourite and I like the weather. Ever since I won the race there in 2010, it’s become my favourite leg of the grand prix and I really enjoy running there.”

She finished second in last year’s race, behind Nyahora, who crossed the line in 33 minutes and nine seconds (33:09).

In the same year, Phalula won the South African 10km Championships in Durban, edging Christine Kalmer, who finished second with Cornelia Joubert taking third.

Phalula said she was pumped up following her recent win in the women’s half marathon at the Two Oceans in Cape Town last month, where she surprised many by overcoming race favourites to steal victory.

She attributed her recent spark in form to her training regime with new coach Michael Seme, and the help of her training partners Stephen Mokoka and Gladwin Mzazi.

“I’m very happy with how I’m performing this year. I doubted myself in Cape Town and I was surprised and so happy to have won the race.

“I couldn’t believe that I could win among strong runners in such a hard race and this is when I realised that all my hard work was paying off.

“Things have changed for the better for me ever since I moved to Pretoria, where I now train under a new coach.

“I also now train with men and they motivate me to do well. I’m doing more mileage and I don’t lack in anything, we cover all angles during our sessions.”

Phalula added that her improved training over the past few months has made her more focused and disciplined.

The grand prix rewards the top runners competing in the five Challenge races, which are held around South Africa. The winner will receive a car and the runner-up R30,000.

– Sapa