Lebo Phalula gives credit to her running club after Cape Town 10km podium finish

The 41-year-old continues to defy expectations, securing her third consecutive top ten finish with a remarkable third place at Sunday’s Absa Run Your City race in Cape Town.

Phalula crossed the line in 32:50, holding her own against a field largely made up of athletes nearly half her age. Phalula has thanked Swanepoel for not giving up on her.

"Thank you very much Charles, you see with this performance first of all I would like to thank my sister. She's always there, in the morning she helps me with training, in the afternoon as well she helps me,” Phalula said.

“So, all again, it's from Rhyn Swanepoel, you know that guy, he always motivates us. So, I've been struggling for the past seven years but he never gave up on me. He's the one who always encourages me that I can do this.

“So, if you don't get any pressure from your manager in the club, you will do good. I wish he can do the same to all the athletes who are struggling at the moment, not to pressurise them, just to give them time, I know they will do good.

“So, with all this from my club Boxer, I'm happy with the performance and my discipline counts the most and my training as well counts the most.

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You see these youngsters, they are the ones who motivate me. Seeing them running like this, they motivate to run well like them. I'm happy with my third position."

The 2016 Olympian set her sights on a podium finish—and delivered—despite facing a younger and more competitive field.

Her performance has reignited her confidence, and she now heads into future races with renewed belief in her ability to improve.

"I was aiming for podium and definitely, one of the Spar, I will win it. I know for sure because my sister has been telling me that, do you know you can win this? But I don't believe in myself,” she added.

“So, if someone can see that I can do this, I know it's not in me, so why must I not believe that I can do it? I'm so happy with my performance."