Phalula set to take Grand Prix title
THE FINAL event of the Spar Women’s 10km Grand Prix season is set to take centre stage at the Wanderers Sports Club in Johannesburg on Sunday, with Lebogang Phalula likely to clinch the series.
Phalula, pictured, is currently on top of the standings with 75 points, 14 ahead of her nearest rival Cornelia Joubert.
Phalula has managed to secure podium finishes in all her races this year. She won the Durban leg, then took second spot in Port Elizabeth, while finishing third in Cape Town and Pretoria.
The athlete says seeing her twin sister Diana-Lebo Phalula winning the series last year motivated her to work harder this year in order to do the same.
“I was over the moon when my sister won the Grand Prix last year, and I told myself that this year was my turn,” she said.
Lebogang could have accumulated more points by winning the Pretoria leg in August, where she was in the lead for most of the race, only to be pipped at the finish-line by Zimbabwean runner Rutendo Nyahora. However, the long distance runner says she is well prepared for the weekend’s race and she’s in a good shape.
“I’m looking forward to the race on Sunday. I’m feeling good, and I believe in myself. But I know I’m going to have to run smart – I respect every woman running in the race, and I am taking nothing for granted.”
Diana-Lebo has struggled this season compared to last, only picking up 54 points. She missed the Cape Town race as she was representing South Africa in the World Cross Country championships in China. She won the Port Elizabeth race, came sixth in Durban and second in Pretoria.
Meanwhile, Nyahora is targeting another victory.
“I’m not eligible for the Grand Prix, but I will be going all out to win on Sunday, and I believe that I can,” she said.
Little separates the other runners with Mapaseka Makhanya on 57 points while Christine Kalmer and Nolene Conrad have 53 points each. Makhanya got off to a flying start winning the Cape Town race in record time, but finishing out of the top 10 in Durban.