TheAbsa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES Cape Town 10Kis shaping into a race that could leave scorch marks on the Mother City’s streets this weekend, with elite athletes targeting fast times, national bragging rights and a slice of history.
The women’s race has emerged as the main attraction with the elusive sub-30 minute barrier firmly in sight for the first time on South African soil.
Kenya’s Faith Cherono enters as the quickest athlete in the field with a personal best of 30:06 and is expected to drive an aggressive pace from the opening kilometre. Fellow Kenyan Jackline Rotich also arrives with proven pedigree and should add further pressure at the front.
South African attention, though, will centre on Glenrose Xaba and Tayla Kavanaghin a contest carrying the feel of a championship prize fight.
Xaba has become the country’s dominant road runner in recent seasons, producing performances as smooth and relentless as a train gathering speed downhill. Kavanagh has rapidly climbed the ranks and continues to show the fearless racing instincts needed to survive a brutal pace on a fast course.
“Cape Town is known for quick times and strong competition,” said Xaba. “When the field moves hard from the start, everyone gets pulled into the race.”
Kavanagh believes the race could deliver something special.
“A sub-30 has been hanging in the air for years,” she said. “This field has the athletes capable of chasing that mark.”
The men’s race also carries serious firepower.
Kenyan speedster Felix Kibet Masai leads the entries with a lightning-fast 27:24 personal best and will start among the favourites alongside South African veteran Stephen Mokoka, whose experience and tactical awareness remain among the sharpest in the domestic road running scene.
Kabelo Mulaudzi, Tanzania’s Jummanne Ngoya and a powerful local contingent including Bongelani Mkhwanazi and Chris Mhlanga should ensure the pace remains fierce throughout.
Mokoka expects an uncompromising race from the gun.
“When athletes with these personal bests line up together, the pace naturally becomes aggressive,” he said. “You need to be ready for every move.”
With cool rainy, coastal conditions expected, deep international fields and national stars eager to seize the spotlight, Cape Town’s roads are set to become a high-speed theatre for one of the most anticipated races on the local calendar.
See full list of male and female elite contenders below:
Stellenbosch’s Coetzenberg Stadium played host to a rain-soaked finale at the 2026 ASA Senior Track and Field Championships, where several of the country’s leading athletes delivered composed performances in testing conditions.
Leotlela successfully defended his men’s 100m crown, edging Benjamin Richardson in a photo finish, while Dambile added another chapter to his growing reputation in the 200m.
Dambile clocked 20.02 seconds to claim his third national title in the half-lap sprint, having also won in 2022 and 2025. After crossing the line, he raised three fingers on each hand in acknowledgement of his achievement.
“It is very special man, I have to win it back-to-back to back to back,” Dambile said.
“I’ve seen the consistency of 400m when Wayde was there, I saw the consistency of Akani in the 100m and I’ve actually never seen in the 200m someone being that consistent. I wanted to be that guy and I’m definitely working towards that.”
Sinesipho Dambiledefended his 200m crown Photo: Team SA
He finished ahead of 18-year-old Naeem Jack, who took second in 20.34, while Mihlali Xotyeni was third in 20.62.
In the men’s 400m, Pillay delivered a controlled run from lane six to secure gold in 45.22. With his main challengers on the inside lanes, he executed a measured race plan to stay clear of the field.
“The plan was just to execute,” Pillay said.
“I knew that Leendert and Udeme were the two on my inside lane, so I wouldn’t be able to gauge them until either it was too late to the finish or they caught me early on. My plan was just run a bold race, run strong. I know where my strengths are this season and just to bear out the weather.”
Bradley Maponyane finished second in 45.77, with Udeme Okon third in 46.02 and Leendert Koekemoer fourth in 46.52. Okon’s meeting ended on a concerning note later in the 4x400m relay when he appeared to suffer a hamstring injury on the final bend and fell after handing over the baton.
Wernich van Rensburg won the men’s 400m hurdles in 50.09, while Joseph took the women’s title in 55.94.
Rogail Joseph Photo; Cecelia van Bers
In the women’s 400m, Marlie Viljoen secured her first national title in 51.72 after a delayed start. Jada van Staden and Isabella Gunter completed the podium.
“Today was only about running for a gold medal, I wasn’t looking for a time. I’m actually happy with the time in the conditions, but today was only about getting the gold medal,” Viljoen said.
Kayla la Grange won the women’s 200m in 23.37, finishing ahead of Anastaysha George and Rume Burger, while Joviale Mbisha defended her national title in the women’s 100m.
The women’s 1500m provided one of the more competitive races of the afternoon. Karabo More surged late to win in 4:11.54, denying Prudence Sekgodiso a double after her earlier victory in the 800m. Sekgodiso finished second in 4:14.38, with Danielle Verster third in 4:16.86.
Denmar Jacobs claimed his first national title in the men’s 110m hurdles in 13.47, narrowly beating Mondray Barnard, while veteran Antonio Alkana placed third.
Marione Fourie won the women’s 100m hurdles in 12.69 despite a slightly slow start.
“I’m really happy with the time, I thought it would be slower. I didn’t know I can run a 12.69 in these conditions, it just means that there’s a next level coming up and I hope that I can achieve that,” Fourie said.
Tayla Kavanagh dominated the distance double at the SA Champs Photo: Team SA
In the field events, Leandri Holtzhausen produced one of the standout performances with a winning hammer throw of 67.70m. Colette Uys secured gold in the discus with a throw of 57.86m and added silver in the hammer (63.53m), while Anje Holtzhausen took bronze in the hammer with 50.93m.
Zinzi Xulu won the women’s triple jump with a best attempt of 12.90m.
Jana van Schalkwyk claimed the javelin title with a throw of 53.12m, while Danielle Nolte won the long jump with 6.49m.
On the track, Edmund du Plessis defended his 800m title in 1:46.63, and Siboniso Soldaka took top honours in the 3 000m steeplechase.
Despite the persistent rain, the championships concluded with a series of measured performances across track and field, as athletes adapted to the conditions to secure national titles.
Tayla Kavanaghheads into the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10Kin the kind of form that turns heads, yet the 24-year-old remains firmly grounded as she prepares for Sunday’s race in the Mother City.
The Hollywood Athletics Club runner has lit up the past three weeks with personal bests over 3000m, 5000m and 10km, building momentum like a runner finding a smooth downhill rhythm. Still, her focus stays on execution rather than expectation.
“I’m looking forward to taking part in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K,” said Kavanagh. “I ran it last year and thoroughly enjoyed the route and the competition. With this being my second 10km race of the season, I’m looking forward to putting together a strong run.”
Her recent 3000m victory in Stellenbosch, where she clocked 8:46.86, underlined her sharpness, coming soon after her 31:33 win at the Cape Town leg of the SPAR Grand Prix where she beat Glenrose Xaba.
Kavanagh believes her decision to spend more time on the track this season is paying off.
“It was a good decision,” she said. “As someone without a track background, it is so good to add track to the mix this year. I think it’s assisting me to be faster on the road. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the track season, but the road is where my full passion lies. I’m looking forward to being back on the road and seeing what we can do in the 10km distances.”
Cape Town also marks a meaningful point in her resurgence after injury setbacks in 2023 and 2024. Her fifth-place finish here last year signalled a return to form.
“I feel that the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K last year is where I started to pick up my form again. That means it’s kind of a special race for me. I don’t have too many expectations. I’ve been enjoying the process of running. That’s when I perform at my best.”
Series founder Michael Meyer believes Kavanagh’s current trajectory makes her one to watch.
“Tayla has been nothing short of exceptional over the past few weeks, and her recent string of personal bests across multiple distances is a clear indication that she’s in outstanding form,” he said. “If her current trajectory is anything to go by, we can expect a truly special performance in Cape Town.”
The race starts at 09:00 on Sunday, 10 May, from Marine Drive in Milnerton and finishes in the Cape Town CBD.
Tayla Kavanaghdelivered a breakthrough performance to win the opening leg of the SPAR Grand Prix series in Cape Town on Sunday, outsprinting defending champion Glenrose Xaba in a gripping finish in Green Point.
The 24-year-old from Hollywood Athletics Club in KwaZulu-Natal clocked a personal best 31:33, timing her charge to perfection over the final 50 metres to edge Xaba by five seconds. It marked a significant statement at the start of the national women’s road running series.
Xaba, a three-time SPAR Grand Prix winner representing Boxer Athletics Club Gauteng North, crossed in 31:38 after a sustained duel with Kavanagh in the closing stages. Her teammate Kayla Jacobs secured third place in 32:16.
Kavanagh executed a measured race, staying within striking distance before lifting the pace in the final kilometre. The contest tightened approaching the last corner, where she committed to a decisive surge.
“No, I knew I was coming into the race in pretty good shape, but I never expected to win the race today,” said Kavanagh.
“I kind of just stuck to my plan, and I felt good in the last 1K. From about 9Ks, I just started to surge a bit. Glenrose came back at me, and I thought, ok let me keep trying. And as we took the last corner, I was like, I still got some gas in the legs, let me try.
“So, I took the risk and I brought it home. I was really happy to get a bit of a gap and to win. I’m super happy.”
Her focus this season has been consistency following a strong 2025 campaign.
“I had a really good year last year. So going into this season, I really wanted to build some consistency again. I was trying to continue that and it’s exactly what I managed to do today, so I’m really happy.”
Behind the leading trio, Karabo More (32:34) and Cacisile Sosibo (32:42) rounded out the top five in a competitive field that set a high standard for the series opener.
Double Olympic 800m gold medallist Caster Semenya(35:44), who coaches Xaba with her wife Violet Semenyafinished in a credible 12th place.
Kavanagh’s victory reshapes the early Grand Prix standings and signals a potential shift in the competitive order, with Xaba set to respond as the series progresses.
A record 18000 women took to the streets of the Mother City to participate in perfect weather conditions on a fast, flat circular route that started in Vlei Road at the DHL Stadium and finished at Green Point. Common Fields.
Top 10 Results – SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge (Cape Town)
Tayla Kavanagh – 31:33
Glenrose Xaba – 31:38
Kyla Jacobs – 32:16
Karabo More – 32:34
Cacisile Sosibo – 32:42
Karabo Mailula – 33:28
Irvette van Zyl – 33:43
Zanthe Taljaard – 34:23
Carina Swiegers – 34:47
Elizabeth Hutamo – 35:09
Deanne Launscher – 35:41
Caster Semenya -35:44
Top three:Tayla Kavanagh (center), Glenrose Xaba (left) andKayla Jacobs (right) finished on the podium at the Spar 10km Challenge in Cape Town on Sunday morning. Photo Credit: Adnaan Mohamed
Defending champion Glenrose Xabawill begin her bid for a record-breaking fourth SPAR Grand Prix title when the 2026 series opens in Green Point on Sunday.
No athlete has won the competition four times since its inception 18 years ago. Xaba, already a three-time winner, now has the opportunity to stand alone at the top of that list.
The opening race has been reshaped by the absence of Ethiopian runners Diniya Abaraya and Salem Gebre, who finished second and third respectively in last year’s standings. Both were unable to secure the necessary visas and clearance documents, their club confirmed earlier this week.
Their withdrawal strengthens the prospects of South Africa’s leading contenders and is expected to intensify competition among the local elite field.
“The SPAR Grand Prix has become very important to me,” said Xaba. “I am very proud to be the first black South African to win it three times. I hope my achievements are an inspiration to young girls living in poverty as I was, who see what I have done and believe they can do the same.”
Xaba said she was in good condition ahead of the season opener.
“I am ready to run my best and I am looking forward to the competition. I just want to achieve good results in 2026,” she said.
Among those expected to challenge are Karabo Mailula, Irvette van Zyl and Tayla Kavanagh, along with Xaba’s training partners Karabo More and Cacisile Sosibo.
The SPAR Grand Prix consists of five races, with stops in Cape Town, Durban, Tshwane, Gqeberha and Johannesburg.
This year’s series offers a total prize purse of R2 million. The overall winner will earn R210 000, with additional incentives available to the top South African finishers.
Attention will also turn to the age-group categories. Junior champion Chanel Groenewald starts as favourite in her division. Anne Stewart will defend her 50-59 title, with Elizabeth Potter among her challengers. In the 60-plus category, Judy Bird is set to face strong competition from record holder Margie Saunders.
Sunday’s race follows a fast coastal route, starting near Green Point and running along the Sea Point Promenade before finishing at the Green Point Common.
For Xaba, the campaign begins with a clear objective: to convert consistency into history.
Kavanagh arrives buoyed by a standout 2025 season in which she became the fourth-fastest South African women’s 10km runner of all time. The Hollywood Athletics Club athlete has shifted her focus back to the track this year, aiming to sharpen speed before transferring it to the road.
“This year, I will be focusing quite a lot on the track. Track is something I need to work on as it doesn’t come naturally to me,” said Kavanagh. “I want to challenge myself in order to develop as an athlete… I’m hoping to get some speed and translate that speed to the road.”
She opened her season by winning the 3 000m at the first KZNA League Meeting in a career-best 9:00.21, and says Gqeberha is about setting the tone.
“The goal for the first race of the season is to lay down a good solid foundation,” she said. “I get the best results when I just run. If I’m calm and relaxed, I run at my best.”
Eastern Cape favourite Cwenga Nose, the 2025 SA 10 000m silver medallist, will be equally motivated on home roads. The Phantane AC runner opened his season with a 28:45 win at the Colchester 10km and is eyeing an improvement on his 28:41 personal best.
“I’m in very good shape because I spent the whole December training hard to have a good season,” said Nose. “The plan is to stick to the race plan and run my own race.”
According to Series Founder Michael Meyer, the stage is set.
“Gqeberha consistently produces world-class performances, and we are confident it will provide the perfect platform for Tayla and Cwenga to test themselves against the very best.”
Deon-Lee Hendricks and Tayla Kavanagh successfully defended theirSanlam 10k Peace Runtitles in spectacular fashion at the 2025 edition of the race on Saturday morning.
As part of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathonweekend, the sold-out 10km field of 11,000 runners, along with another 3,500 in the 5km Peace Run, turned the Mother City’s streets into a blur of motion, colour, and courage.
Hendricks significantly Improves previous time
For Hendricks, the Athletics Academy star, it was a triumph of rhythm and resilience. Clocking 29:27, the 28-year-old from Cloetesville near Stellenbosch, not only defended his crown but also shaved more than 20 seconds off his winning time from last year.
“This is such a high-profile race, so winning it twice in a row is really a blessing,” said Hendricks, catching his breath after the finish.
“We had to start slower because of the wind, doing over 15 minutes for the first half and under 14 for the second. I came here to give it my all to defend my title, so I’m blessed.”
Potchefstroom track talent Luan Munnik took second in 29:39, followed by Bruce-Lynn Damons of TymeBank Langa in 29:55.
The men’s top three in the 2025 Peace Run 10km, Deon-Lee Hendricks, Luan Munnik and Bruce-Lynn Damons. Photo: Johann Minnaar
“This was my first time here, and what a crazy experience, It’s nothing like being on the track,” said Munnik.
“The first five kays were tactical, but then Bruce-Lynn pushed the pace, and Deon-Lee and I went to the front. He got away in the last mile, but it was great to race with such competitive guys.”
Kavanagh Runs into the Record Books
In the women’s race, Tayla Kavanagh of Hollywood Athletics blazed to an electrifying 31:37, a 16-second personal best and the fastest 10km by a South African woman in 2025.
The Durban dynamo now moves up to 11th on the all-time SA list, with only legends like Glenrose Xaba, Elana Meyer and Colleen De Reuck ahead of her.
“Today I really wanted to go for the win again,” said Kavanagh, glowing with satisfaction.
“Last year was such a great race, and I had a lot of fun again. I think the more fun you have, the faster you run. Even though it was windy, I focused on my plan, to run hard, and I’m super happy with the way I executed it.”
Helping her stay on pace was Olympian Ryan Mphahlele, her official pacesetter and former teammate from the 2023 World Road Running Championships in Latvia.
“Fortunately, I had Ryan to help me,” she added. “I was able to stick to him and run the time my form said I could.”
Behind her, Carina Viljoen claimed silver in 33:02, with Irvette van Zyl third in 33:29, ahead of Kyla Jacobs and Cian Oldknow.
The women’s top three in the 2025 Peace Run 10km, Tayla Kavanagh, Carina Viljoen and Irvette Van Zyl. Photo: Johann Minnaar
Viljoen, gracious in defeat, praised Kavanagh’s masterclass:
“Luckily, I heard what Tayla was aiming for today, so I knew I had to let her do her thing and just focus on my own race. I really had fun and I’m happy with another second place here.”
Peace Run 10km Results
Men:
Deon-Lee Hendricks (Athletics Academy) – 29:27
Luan Munnik (Potch Track) – 29:39
Bruce-Lynn Damons (TymeBank Langa) – 29:55
Angelo Booysen (Correctional Services) – 29:59
Dylan van der Merwe (Boxer) – 30:15
Women:
Tayla Kavanagh (Hollywood) – 31:37
Carina Viljoen (Temp) – 33:02
Irvette van Zyl (Hollywood) – 33:29
Kyla Jacobs (Boxer) – 33:57
Cian Oldknow (Hollywood) – 34:35
Peace Run 5km Highlights
Men: Nicolas Sebolai (SA) – 15:27 Women: Laura Antonia Rehberg (Germany) – 19:38
Like a champion runner returning to her favourite stretch of road, Glenrose “Supercharger” Xaba as well as the cream of South Africa’s top female athlete’s are coming back to participate in Durban’s Boxer Super Run on Sunday, 12 October 2025.
Two years ago, she lit up Snell Parade like sunrise breaking over the ocean, flying home in 16:03 to become the fastest South African woman over 5km on local soil.
Last year she traded that sharp burst of speed for the long, patient drumbeat of marathon miles and the gamble paid off, her feet writing history across Cape Town’s streets in 2:22:22, a record carved into the national story.
“I missed out on the 2024 race because I was training for my marathon debut and aiming for the SA record, which God blessed me with,” Xaba reflects, her words steady as a stride on the back straight.
“This year at the Boxer Super Run in Durban, I just want to enjoy myself and see what my legs can do. The 5km distance is special because it’s all about speed from the first kilometre to the finish. I look forward to running against training partners like Karabo More.”
Beside her, the field is rich withTayla Kavanagh, Durban’s own racing the road she knows like the back of her hand.
Glenrose Xaba Photo: Anthony Grote
“Recently I’ve run a number of 10km races, and I have decided to use the Boxer Super Run 5K to enjoy a shorter distance on the road and see what I can do,” she says. “It’s a challenging distance but I enjoy a challenge… The local support on a hometown race is always super special.”
Debutant Karabo Motsoeneng all the way from Hammanskraal in Pretoria is ready to test her mettle against the tide:
“The Boxer Super Run is a great opportunity for people to have fun while showcasing their talents. The 5km distance is short but fast. My goal is to run a PB on the day. I’m looking forward to seeing the elite runners break records and set new PBs.”
And for Carina Swiegers, the race is a celebration of joy as much as speed:
“The Boxer Super Run is just a quick and fun day out for family and friends. It’s something different from the usual 10km or 21.1km road races, and the vibe and organisation are top class. I absolutely love it. It’s just long enough but also short enough to run really fast.”
The sponsors too are in step with the excitement.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Glenrose Xaba back to the Boxer Super Run in Durban… It’s also fantastic to have Karabo Motsoeneng and Carina Swiegers joining the field,” said Lee-Ann Pillay, Head of Marketing.
Gqeberha, Eastern Cape – Glenrose Xaba once again turned the SPAR Women’s Challenge into her personal racetrack on Saturday morning, streaking down Marine Drive like a sprinter on rails to seize her fourth straight victory of the 2025 Grand Prix Series and, with it, another chapter of history.
The Boxer Athletic Club dynamo, nicknamed “SuperCharger” for the way she ignites races with a sudden burst of speed stopped the clock at a searing 31:57, her white cap bobbing like a beacon at the head of the pack as she tore through the Windy City air.
She sliced the tape ahead of Hollywood Athletics Club’s Tayla Kavanagh (32:01), while Ethiopia’s Diniya Abaraya (32:04) , clad in Nedbank green, clung on for third.
GQEBERHA, SOUTH AFRICA – SEPTEMBER 27: Glenrose Xaba (L) , Diniya Abaraya and Tayla Kavanagh of Hollywood (R) during the 2025 SPAR Women’s Grand Prix 10km Challenge at Pollok Beach in Gqeberha. Photo: Michael Sheehan/Gallo Images)
Glenrose has now sprinted into an unassailable 115-point lead with one race to spare, making next weekend’s Johannesburg leg little more than a victory lap.
She becomes the first black South African athlete to win the SPAR Grand Prix three times, adding her name once more to a glittering roll call that includes Rene Kalmer, Irvette van Zyl, Namibia’s Helalia Johannes and Ethiopia’s Tadu Nare.
On a crisp morning made for fast times, Glenrose toed the line looking refreshed, having chosen to sidestep Wednesday’s Absa RUN YOUR CITY Joburg 10K. When the gun fired, she immediately leaned into the race like a runner unwilling to wait for destiny.
Her usual rival Selam Gebre tried to shadow her stride for stride, joined by Abaraya, and for a while the trio ran in formation, as though the podium had already been sketched in pencil.
But Gebre, her legs heavy from a fourth-place finish at the Buenos Aires Marathon earlier this month, faltered once Glenrose pressed the accelerator.
Resplendent in her trademark white cap, Glenrose’s surge was as decisive as it was devastating down the home straight.
The contest for gold was over; the race had become a chase for silver. Kavanagh, digging into her reserves with the grit of a runner who refused to fade, clawed her way past Abaraya to snatch second.
For Glenrose, the victory was all the sweeter because she had not felt at her sharpest.
“I was not 100 percent. My body was not responding well,” she admitted afterwards.
“The course was very fast. Last year I ran a course record. Today I did 31 high because my body was not responding well. I tried my best to push my pace, but I could not push much.
“But I told myself, ‘Let me keep the pace’ and then in the last three kilometres I said, ‘let me give myself a push’.”
And push she did, storming home to the delight of the Gqeberha crowd and swelling her bank balance with a R200 000 payday for clinching the overall Grand Prix prize.
The race itself was a sell-out, with 5 000 runners filling the streets in a celebration of women’s running.
For one lucky participant, it was about more than medals and times: Nomandla Lunguza of Kariega, Uitenhage walked away with a Hyundai EXTER, the fifth vehicle SPAR and Hyundai have given away this season.
“At Hyundai Automotive South Africa, we believe excellence comes in many forms. Whether you are leading the race or simply showing and giving it your all. That is why we are proud to be part of the SPAR Women’s Challenge, where every woman out there is a winner in her own right,” said Stanley Anderson, CEO of Hyundai Automotive South Africa.
“Accordingly, the SPAR Women’s Challenge alignment with the Hyundai EXTER is aimed at highlighting this vehicle’s strength. It is built to handle life’s daily demands with ease and flair. Just like the event itself, the Hyundai EXTER is as versatile and vibrant as the women who inspire us every day.”
For Glenrose Xaba, though, the car on Saturday was running on her own high-octane, Supercharged engine.
And with one more race to go, she has already driven her way into history.
Hyundai Exter winner, Nomandla Lunguza, with Clinton Bezuidenhout, Dealer Principal at Hyundai Gqeberha. Photo: Michael Sheehan / Gallo Images
The final leg of the SPAR Grand Prix will take place on Sunday morning, 05 October 2025 at Marks Park Sporting Club in Emmerentia, Johannesburg.
Defending her title in sublime fashion, Tayla Kavanagh turned the Maritzburg SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge into a one-woman show on Sunday, 17 August.
This was no ordinary victory either — it marked the third consecutive year that the Durban athlete claimed the top spot in Pietermaritzburg, and she did it in style. Running in the colours of Hollywood Athletics Club, Kavanagh clocked an impressive 32:55, slicing a massive 77 seconds off her 2024 winning time and comfortably improving on her 2023 finish of 34:07.
Reflecting on her race, Kavanagh said: “It was a lovely morning out on the streets of PMB, I always thoroughly enjoy participating in the SPAR Women’s 10km leg here in Pietermaritzburg. I had a pleasant race and I’m really happy with how it went. The weather was warmer than it had been in the past few weeks, but it was still favourable conditions to run in.”
She added: “I was hoping to run a solid effort this morning. I didn’t have a specific time in mind, but I just wanted to execute a good race. I do some of my training in Maritzburg, so this race always feels like a home race for me! I also really relish the challenging hilly route and the community of women who come together to run this race.”
Kavanagh made her intentions clear early on, breaking away from the pack after the 2km mark, when the course’s first inclines began. She steadily stretched her lead, pulling away from Kenyan runner Florence Nyaingiri, who eventually finished second in 35:25 — two and a half minutes behind.
“We set off the race with a few of us running pretty strong together at the start, at around 2km’s is where the first inclines began and I know I really enjoy the hills and climbs so I would say just after the 2km marker I decided I would take the lead,” Kavanagh explained.
By 4.5km, she was already 45 seconds clear, passing the split in 15:12 compared to Nyaingiri’s 15:57.
The 24-year-old’s dominance comes in the middle of a standout year. Just one night earlier, she was crowned KZN Athletics Female Road Runner of the Year, she recently ran a blistering 31:53 PB at the Durban Totalsports Women’s Race, and she placed fifth overall at the Durban SPAR Women’s Challenge in June with a 32:32.
“I ran my PB at the Totalsports race in Durban in a time of 31:53. I have been dipping under 33 minutes numerous times over the last few years and only recently just ran under 32 minutes once so far. I look forward to racing my club’s race at the end of August, in the HollywoodBets Durban 10km,” she said.
For visiting athlete Florence Nyaingiri, running her first-ever Maritzburg race was a memorable experience. Based in Iten, Kenya’s world-famous training hub, she admitted the race wasn’t easy: “It was a tough route and being so hot didn’t help, but I had a fantastic time running here and can’t wait to return next year to challenge for the top spot.”
Third place went to Likeleli Majara of Nedbank ByGrace Running Club in Bloemfontein, who crossed the line in 36:01.
This year’s race saw 3,696 women take to the streets around Alexandra Park and Pietermaritzburg’s CBD. It was also the sixth sold-out event in the SPAR Women’s Challenge Series, which hosts eight races across South Africa.
At the prize-giving, SPAR KZN made a meaningful contribution by handing over a R25,000 donation to the Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa (Choc House Maritzburg), with R5 from every entry going to the charity.
Results Overall:
Tayla Kavanagh 32:55
Florence Nyaingiri 35:25
Likeleli Majara 36:01
Bathobile Mkhize 36:41
Malineo Mahloko 37:11
Janie Grundling 37:38
Makhosi Mhlongo 38:24
Luzaan de Wit 39:00
Leah Edwards 41:49
Janene Carey 42:07
Junior 1 Leah Edwards 41.49; 2 Courtney van Wyngaard 43.16; 3 Hannah Sewlal 48.03
