The second-place winner of the SPAR Grand Prix Series in Gqeberha, Tayla Kavanagh, will not be taking part in the final leg on Sunday in Johannesburg.
“I have decided not to partake in the Johannesburg leg. From here, I have a few other things planned coming up,” the Hollywood Athletics Club runner said after her race in Gqeberha on Saturday.
The 24-year-old KwaZulu-Natal Athletics runner came second after crossing the finish line in 32min, behind Glenrose Xaba, who claimed her fourth victory on Saturday at Pollok Beach.
Xaba, who runs in Boxer Athletics Club colours, clocked a fast 31:57 to win the Gqeberha 10km race.
Ethiopia’s Diniya Abaraya of Nedbank Running Club was third in 32:04.
Xaba has now won all four races in the 2025 series with one race — the Johannesburg leg — to spare as she enjoys an unassailable 115 points.
Reflecting on her race on Saturday, Kavanagh, who won the SPAR Women’s Challenge in Pietermaritzburg in August, said it went well.
“I committed to running with the girls up strong after the first kilometre, and I decided to see how I could manage to hold on today.
“I am proud of how I ran. I tried to build on the consistency that I ran in the last couple of races,” she said.
“I am happy to have continued that, and hopefully I can continue to keep going forward.
“My body felt very strong today.
“The course was really nice, fast and flat. I tried to make use of the conditions.
“I passed out in my last race in Hollywood, so to come back stronger from that was the goal today.
“I am really pleased I could come back stronger after the last race.
“I have gone back to basics in terms of what training works for me as an athlete, focusing on the things that work for you is important.
“I am grateful for the year I have had so far and what I have managed to achieve.”
The Herald
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.