Karabo More targets first Spar Durban podium finish

The race has become even more competitive after three-time series champion Glenrose Xaba confirmed to SABC Sport that she will miss the Durban leg because she will be competing in Europe.

Her absence opens the door for local contenders, including More, Karabo Mailula, and Cape Town race winner Taylar Kavanagh of Hollywood Athletics Club.

Another podium contender, More's Boxer teammate Kyla Jacobs, who finished third in Cape Town, has also confirmed that she will not compete in Durban.

More finished fourth in the opening race in Cape Town in a time of 32:34, narrowly missing out on a podium place.

She now believes Durban offers a great opportunity to improve both her finishing position and her time.

Without putting extra pressure on herself, the reigning African 1500m champion says her main goal is to collect valuable Grand Prix points while challenging for a top three finish.

"The Durban race is another opportunity to collect points on the leaderboard and strengthen my position in the series. My goal is to finish on the podium and then see how the race unfolds," More told SABC Sport.

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Unlike the Cape Town race, where Ethiopian athletes were unable to compete because of paperwork delays, the strong international contingent will be back in Durban.

More has welcomed their return, saying tougher competition will help everyone produce faster times.

"We welcome the Ethiopian runners because they always make the competition stronger. For me, it doesn't matter who is in the race. I just want to focus on my own performance and improve my time. That's what is most important," she said.

More heads to Durban full of confidence after enjoying an excellent season. She won gold in the 1500m at the Athletics South Africa Senior Track and Field Championships in Stellenbosch in April, clocking 4:11.54, and has already claimed three titles this year, including the Athletics Gauteng North Provincial Championships.