Nare secures the 2022 Spar Grand Prix title

Ethiopian Tadu Nare (Nedbank) clinched her second successive Spar Grand Prix title when she won the Cape Town Spar Grand Prix Women’s 10km Challenge in Greenpoint on Sunday. She finished in 31:53 minutes.

Her compatriot and teammate Selam Gebre was second in 32:18. The 2019 Spar Grand Prix winner, Namibian Helalia Johannes (Nedbank) finished third in 32:21.

The first South African home was 2017 Spar Grand Prix winner Kesa Molotsane (Murray & Roberts). Nare’s victory means she has clinched the 2022 Spar Grand Prix title, after winning five of the six races. Johannes won the first race in Gqeberha in May with Nare finishing second.

Nare said she hoped to compete in the Spar Grand Prix next year, but that depended on her programme and other commitments. She said she was finishing off the house she started building with her prize money last year, and she had also bought some land in her home country as an investment.

Molotsane said the international athletes who competed in the Spar races had been very good for South African running.

“But we need to do more. We need investment in training camps for runners, possibly on a regional basis. We also need medical and nutritional support for athletes.”

Kovsie (University of Free State) runner Louzanne Coetzee made history when she became the first blind runner to complete a Spar 10km race, running with her guide Claus Kempen. She finished in 28th place in 40:16 minutes. Coetzee recently ran in the London Marathon so she could qualify for the Paralympic Games in Paris in 2024.

“I compete in the 1 500 metres and in the marathon at the Paralympics, and I wanted to get the marathon qualification out of the way so that I can focus on track running next year,” she said.

“I loved being part of the Spar race today,” said Coetzee.

“Spar is doing a good job by breaking barriers and being inclusive.”

Former track and cross-country great, Zola Budd Pieterse, also took part in Sunday’s race. Pieterse, now 56, is now living and coaching in Stellenbosch. She said she was impressed by the standard of running in South Africa.

“Female African runners are the best in the world, with the Kenyans dominant. I am impressed by the depth of talent among female South African runners,” said Pieterse.

“Events like the Spar Grand Prix and Spar Women’s Challenge races and fun run are very important to promote running among women. The vibe in these races is great and it is good to see a race where the women are running while the men stand on the sidelines and take care of the children. Many women take up running after taking part in races like these.

“To age well, you have to remain active and running is a part of that,” she said.

Overall Top 10 results:
1. Tadu Nare (Nedbank) 31:53;
2. Selam Gebre (Nedbank) 32:18;
3. Helalia Johannes (Nedbank) 32:21;
4. Kesa Molotsane (Murray & Roberts) 33:15;
5. Kyla Jacobs (Murray & Roberts) 33:16;
6. Caroline Mhandu (Maxed) 33:27;
7. Irvette van Zyl (Nedbank) 33:32;
8. Cacisile Sosibo (Boxer) 33:37;
9. Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) 33:51;
10. Adele Broodryk (Murray & Roberts) 35:11