Top women in PE for 10km duel
Defending champion to build on ideal start – but competition will be tough
DEFENDING SPAR Grand Prix Series champion Kesa Molotsane will be a marked athlete as she chases a second consecutive SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge series win at Pollok Beach tomorrow.
Molotsane, who dominated the series last year by winning three of the six races in Cape Town, Maritzburg and Port Elizabeth, won the opening leg of the series in Cape Town last month.
It was an ideal start to the series for the KPMG athlete as she crossed the finish line in 34 minutes and 10 seconds and she will be looking to build on that form in Port Elizabeth.
Molotsane took top honours in the 5 000m and 10 000m at the recent South African Students Athletics Championships held in Sasolburg.
She said she relished returning to the Bay to defend her title against leading opposition.
“I always try to keep positive when I approach my races. After all, running is about having fun,” Molotsane said.
“I will be racing against the same competitors as the past year.
“The competition is really tough but I always enjoy being around them and competing with them.
“Every race is different and each one comes with different challenges.
“Everyone wants to win and I am hoping for the best in the competition for myself.
“It is wise to focus on what’s on the plate now rather than stressing about the overall competition.”
Meanwhile, former SPAR Grand Prix winners Mapaseka Makhanya and Rene Kalmer have both ruled out podium finishes tomorrow but are still looking forward to taking part in the second leg of the event.
Makhanya has been set back by a flu bug while Kalmer injured her hip doing the Two Oceans Half Marathon. Makhanya has been nursing her virus since Friday last week, which has had a bad effect on her training.
She said the illness had made it difficult for her to prepare for the race, but that would not keep her from competing in Port Elizabeth.
“This flu has messed with my preparation. When you have flu you can’t run properly, because you struggle to breathe, so I can’t train,” Makhanya said.
With the anticipated strong field of professional women athletes on race day, Makhanya said a top three finish was unlikely.
“The women have been running well. The competition is tough and I think the times are fast,” she said.
“It is difficult to be in the top 10 of the SPAR Women’s race, one has to prepare very well.
“The way I am feeling right now a podium finish is really out of reach, but I will give it my best.”
Makhanya recently took part in the Two Oceans Half Marathon where she finished fifth overall.
Kalmer said she was still battling with her hip injury but hoped to be competitive tomorrow.
The former Olympian missed out on the series last year due to the birth of her baby.
“The recovery has been slow. I am doing a lot of cross-training at the moment,” Kalmer said.
“Unfortunately, I won’t be running that well this weekend but I am still looking forward to competing.”
The field will be well-advised to keep a watchful eye on KPMG teammate Nolene Conrad, who appears to be in the form of her life.
Other runners to look out for are Glenrose Xaba, who was second in Cape Town, Christine Kalmer, who is back in form after a quiet 2017 because of illness, and the Phalula twins, Diana-Lebo and Lebogang, who are both former Grand Prix winners.
The 10km race will start at 7am, followed by the 5km race at 8am.
The way I am feeling right now a podium finish is out of reach