Kyla Jacobs excited to return to her favourite 5km race

The Boxer Running Club athlete is eager to test her speed against some of the country’s best runners after missing the Spar Women’s 10km race in Gqeberha due to a family commitment.

Jacobs has enjoyed a strong season, finishing third in the Spar Women’s 10km races in Cape Town and Tshwane.

The 31-year-old has also continued to make progress after returning from injury and childbirth, setting personal bests on the track and over 10km. 

Despite competing over longer distances, Jacobs has developed a special love for the 5km race, which she enjoys because of the speed, endurance and tactics required to produce a good performance.

“I enjoy racing over 5km because it’s a great mix of speed and endurance. I enjoy that the race is intense and can also be tactical,” Jacobs told SABC Sport.

“The challenge is that it's so short and if you lose focus for even a second or lose contact with the group, there's very little time to recover.”

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The Cape Town-based runner will be hoping to put that experience to good use on Durban’s fast and flat course, where she will face a strong field that includes Glenrose Xaba, Karabo More and Karabo Mailula.

With several top athletes expected to compete, Jacobs knows she will have to be at her best to challenge for a podium finish.

The race also offers an attractive combined prize purse of R147 200 across the elite and open wave categories.

The top eight men and women in the elite race will receive prize money, with the winners each taking home R20 000.

Jacobs believes the prize money will bring out the best in the athletes but remains focused on running her own race and achieving her personal goals.

“With a fantastic prize purse up for grabs, the field will be strong, but I'm looking forward to racing to the best of my ability. A podium finish and a new PB would make it a successful day,” she said.

Having made encouraging strides this season, Jacobs will be keen to carry her good form into KwaZulu-Natal and make the most of an event she enjoys.

For the experienced runner, a podium finish and a personal best would be the perfect reward for her hard work and determination.