All hail the queen!
The Spar Women's 10km Challenge Grand Prix reaches its climax this weekend, with Helalia Johannes in line to wrap up the competition and walk away with R185 000.
Namibian marathon running sensation Helalia Johannes, fresh from her bronze medal exploits at the IAAF world champs, is ready for the Spar Women's 10km Challenge Grand Prix, according to her coach Robert Kaxuxuena.
Kaxuxuena said the athlete has rested well after running in extremely hot conditions in Doha, Qatar last weekend at the IAAF champs, where she scooped bronze.
The Namibian has won the five previous Spar Challenge races this year, while registering record times, and will leave for South Africa today.
The competition has attracted a strong field, with R185 000 up for grabs. Whoever takes second place will walk away with R65 000.
So far Johannes has 150 points, having earned bonus points in all five previous races, with talented Ethiopian junior Tadu Nare in second position with 134 points, after finishing second in Port Elizabeth, third in Cape Town and second in Durban, Tshwane and Maritzburg. Nare has earned time bonus points in four of the five races, while only missing out in Tshwane.
Other runners to look out for are Grand Prix winner Kesa Molotsane, who was second in the South African 10km championships in Middelburg last Saturday. She is just five points ahead of three-time Grand Prix winner Irvette van Zyl.
Another one to watch is Two Oceans and Comrades marathon winner Gerda Steyn, who is preparing for the New York Marathon on 3 November.
She was second in the Joburg Challenge last year, shooting past Molotsane and Glenrose Xaba at the finish, after being in fourth position for much of the race. Last year's Grand Prix winner Xaba had a quiet start to the year, but has stormed back in recent times. She won the South African 10km champs in Middelburg in 33.33 minutes. She is currently in seventh position on the Grand Prix leader board.
There will be special cheers for RAC runner Sonja Laxton, who will be taking part in her 100th Spar Challenge on Sunday. -Additional info by Nampa/ANA
Kaxuxuena said the athlete has rested well after running in extremely hot conditions in Doha, Qatar last weekend at the IAAF champs, where she scooped bronze.
The Namibian has won the five previous Spar Challenge races this year, while registering record times, and will leave for South Africa today.
The competition has attracted a strong field, with R185 000 up for grabs. Whoever takes second place will walk away with R65 000.
So far Johannes has 150 points, having earned bonus points in all five previous races, with talented Ethiopian junior Tadu Nare in second position with 134 points, after finishing second in Port Elizabeth, third in Cape Town and second in Durban, Tshwane and Maritzburg. Nare has earned time bonus points in four of the five races, while only missing out in Tshwane.
Other runners to look out for are Grand Prix winner Kesa Molotsane, who was second in the South African 10km championships in Middelburg last Saturday. She is just five points ahead of three-time Grand Prix winner Irvette van Zyl.
Another one to watch is Two Oceans and Comrades marathon winner Gerda Steyn, who is preparing for the New York Marathon on 3 November.
She was second in the Joburg Challenge last year, shooting past Molotsane and Glenrose Xaba at the finish, after being in fourth position for much of the race. Last year's Grand Prix winner Xaba had a quiet start to the year, but has stormed back in recent times. She won the South African 10km champs in Middelburg in 33.33 minutes. She is currently in seventh position on the Grand Prix leader board.
There will be special cheers for RAC runner Sonja Laxton, who will be taking part in her 100th Spar Challenge on Sunday. -Additional info by Nampa/ANA
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