A legend of South African road running, Grace de Oliveira, has called time on her memorable career as an elite athlete.
De Oliveira, 64, has been competitive at age group level over the last couple of decades, but her career stretches back 43 years, and she was also one of South Africa's top distance runners in her younger years, at senior level.
She earned seven gold medals at the 90km Comrades Marathon and 10 gold medals at the 56km Two Oceans Marathon.
She also represented South Africa on four occasions at the World Half-Marathon Championships, as well as in the marathon race at the 1997 World Athletics Championships in Athens.
"I think for every athlete who has performed at a high level, there comes a time when you need to retire, and I've decided this is the right time for me," De Oliveira said on the sidelines of the SPAR Women's Challenge 10km race in Durban on Sunday.
"I want to channel my energy and my passion for running into other areas, like being an ambassador for SPAR or a mentor for young athletes. I also want to spend more time with my family."
A stalwart of the SPAR Women's Challenge races, as well as the elite SPAR Grand Prix Series, De Oliveira admitted she would miss competing in the annual 10km races around the country.
Having participated in 114 SPAR Women's Challenge races - more than any other athlete - she said the nationwide annual events had been among her favourite races in which to participate throughout her career.
"The SPAR races are very close to my heart. I have always loved running them. They are very unique races because they are not only women-only but they attract women of every age, size and ability," she said.
"These races accommodate every runner and are a celebration of women, and it has been a privilege to be able to run in them."