By BUSISIWE MOKWENA LEBOGANG Phalul LEBOGANG Phalula got her Christmas gift ear- ly! She won the Spar Women's 10km Challenge - and the Grand Prix title - at the Wanderers in Joburg yesterday. And for her efforts Lebogang, one half of the for- midable Phalula twins, took home a massive R160 000 - R10 000 for winning the race and R150 000 for claiming the Grand Prix. This was her second Challenge win after she won the Durban leg of the competition earlier this year. She finished in the top three in all five legs that make up the Grand Prix. Phalula won yesterday's 10km Challenge in 35:08, with Zimbabwean-born Rutendo Nyahora second in 35:49 and last year's Grand Prix winner, Lebo Phalu- la, finishing third in 36:22. Lebogang said she was in panic mode leading up to the race but that her nerves settled when the race started. Nyahora was leading the pack until Lebogang took over at the 4km mark, leading until she breasted the tape. Lebogang said top runners such as Nyahora, her twin sister Lebo, Mapaseka Makhanya and Nolene Conrad always provided her with a challenge, which helped her work harder. She said: "I enjoyed my race. I loved the new route. I was focused and aimed to finish in the top three to maintain my place on the Grand Prix leader board, which I was able to do. "When you win the Grand Prix your profile grows." Her twin Lebo said her sister winning meant she won too, as they always split their prizes in races they run together. The Boxer athlete has the Soweto Marathon's 21,1km race up next this year before turning her fo- cus to qualifying for next year's Rio Olympic Games. Said Nyahora: "I am happy with achieving podium finishes in all of the Spar races this year. It's not easy being the only foreigner running this race. On Saturday, I wasn't even sure if I was going to make it to the race due to transport issues, but I am glad I came and did the best I could." - a. .e--, . o-qIIiirlMBlMl..l1-l-.lleirlelllti1ltllR ‘ti The 2015 Spar 10km Women's Challenge Grand Prix champion, Lebogang Phalula, is now eyeing the Soweto Marathon. Photo by Reg Caldecott
Plublication: Daily Sun (KZN), Sun Sport
