Rogan Ward
The 2019 SPAR Grand Prix winner, Helalia Johannes (Nedbank) recorded a world best as she sprinted to victory in the SPAR Women's 10km race in 31:53 at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha on Saturday morning.
She became the first woman in the world over 40 to run 10kms in under 32 minutes.
The 2021 SPAR Grand Prix winner, Ethiopian Tadu Nare (Nedbank), was second in 32.11 followed closely by teammate and fellow Ethiopian, 19-year-old Selam Gebre in 32.23.
Tayla Kavanagh of Murray & Roberts was the first South African home, in 32.33.
It was a very fast race, with the first 11 runners all finishing in under 34 minutes. Johannes and Nare ran side by side for the first eight kilometres, where 41-year-old Johannes broke away.
Johannes, who missed the 2021 SPAR Grand Prix series because of international commitments and injury, said she was not surprised at her time, because everything had gone according to plan.
"Age is just a number. As long as my body responds the way I want it to, I will run fast."
Eight runners qualified for 10 bonus points for running under 33.15 and three earned bonus points for running under 34 minutes.
The next SPAR Grand Prix series is in Durban on the 26th of June.
