Chikanga shrugs off 48-hour trip to win
Zimbabwean runner’s win upsets standings
Bertha Chikanga was not going to let a small thing like a 48-hour bus trip get in her way of winning this leg of the Spar Women’s Race yesterday.
The runner travelled all the way from Harare, Zimbabwe to blow the competition away at the 10km race at the Jonsson Kings Park Stadium in Durban.
The 21-year-old led from start to finish to power to victory in 33:07 minutes.
Her strenuous trip from home did not deter her, in fact, it made her more determined to give it her all. “Yeah, that trip was really long and boring,” she said with a laugh.
“But I knew that I was fit enough to run this race even though I was a bit tired from my trip. I planned to have a strong start to make sure I can win with a good distance between me and the other runners,” Chikanga said.
Glenrose Xaba finished second in 33:27, while Nolene Conrad rounded up the podium finish in third place with a time of 33:43.
The weekend results threw a spanner in the works in the series standings.
Xaba is expected to overtake Kesa Molotsane on the leader board when the new standings are released tomorrow.
Molotsane was not at her usual best as she finished sixth in yesterday’s race.
Xaba expressed excitement at the prospect of being in the lead with only the Pretoria, Pietermaritzburg and Johannesburg legs remaining.
“I feel like this will be my year. I am surprised that I am leading and will make sure that I maintain my performances until the last race,” Xaba said.
She said the winner’s cheque of R180 000 would change her life.
“This will motivate me because I want to help my mother financially.”
The next race is on August 4 in Pretoria, while the Pietermaritzburg leg will be on August 19.
The Joburg leg of the competition will be held on October 7.