Star racer to leave nothing to chance for 21km run

LEADING Port Elizabeth female athlete Ntombesinthu Mfunzi says she is prepared to push herself beyond her boundaries in order to crack it into the top 10 of this year’s South African half-marathon championships at Pollok Beach, Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

The 34-year-old, who won the Home and Equity 10km race at the weekend, says she is well-prepared for Saturday’s race.

With top female runners such as defending champs Kenyan Sheila Chesang and South African sprinters Leboganga Phalula, Cornelia Joubert and Christine Kalmer, Mfunzi, who finished fifth at this year’s Two Oceans race, said she’s up for the challenge.

“Competition is tough but I am not afraid because this year as compared to the previous year my fitness levels have improved dramatically.

“I am well prepared this year for the race and I am willing to push myself beyond my boundaries and maybe break into the top 10,” she said.

“On Saturday I went to the Home and Equity 10km race just to test my readiness. I was happy to run 35 minutes and 57 seconds because it shows that the target that I am aiming for of one hour and 16 minutes is within my reach,” she said.

“In April I came fifth in the Two Oceans and then I ran in the Motherwell race. After those, my focus has been on training for the SA champs.”

Mfunzi ran a time of 1:21.21 last year and although she was the first Eastern Cape province female athlete to cross the finishline, the Nedbank Athletics Club runner said she was not happy with her performance.

“Last year I didn’t do well. I was the first EP runner to cross the finishline but things did not go the way I had hoped they would.

“I was not happy with my time, so this year with my fitness levels I am confident that I will do a better time.

“My aim is to reach the top 10, run a sub-one-hour and 16 minutes and also keep the title of being the first EP runner to cross the finishline.”

She said the weather could be a factor in her reaching her target.

“Last week was very windy. I could have run 34 minutes, but because of the wind I could not. If there is wind on Saturday then it’s going be a problem.”