Top Free State middle-distance runner Kesa Molotsane is pressured to catch up to leading opponents poised to conquer this year’s 10 km Spar Grand Prix series crown.
After two events she is fifth, while fellow South African Irvette van Zyl is in fourth position.
They are the only hope for South Africa, which is yet to make it the podium in this tough race dominated by foreign runners.
Namibian Helalia Johannes is leading with 30 points and Ethiopian Tadu Nare is in second position with 29 points, having won the series’ first leg in Gqeberha on 28 May, as well as on 26 June in Durban.
In third place is another Ethiopian, Selam Gebre, with 28 points.
A foreign athlete is therefore bound to win this year’s series.
It has indeed been a while since a South Africa has won the competition, having fallen by wayside in the last two series.
Molotsane and Van Zyl are compelled to shift into top gear and strive to reach a best finishing time of 31:30 in the upcoming three events.
Their mission continues with the third leg of the Grand Prix on 16 July in Mbombela.
Nare leads with the fastest time of 31:49:00, Johannes’ time is 31:59:00 and Gebre is third with a time of 32:17:00.
Nare is the defending champion, having won last year’s series after recording a total of six wins in the prestigious race for women.
Molotsane had to settle for second position in the contest and finished as South Africa’s highest-ranking athlete overall last year. Having won the grand prix on debut in 2017, the Thaba Nchu-bred athlete is also challenged to meet the record of fellow South African Van Zyl, who has won the championship three times.
The next three races will be on 6 August in Tshwane, on 2 October in Johannesburg and on 23 October in Cape Town.
Molotsane and Van Zyl are compelled to shift into top gear and strive to reach
a best finishing time
of 31:30 in the
upcoming three events.
