Taylor Kavanagh confirms she will miss Spar Ladies’ 10km again

Kavanagh will be in Europe for the World Athletics 5km Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 20 September before competing in another international race. 

This means she will not return to South Africa in time for the Gqeberha leg.

The 25-year-old Hollywood Athletics runner won back-to-back Spar 10km races in Cape Town and Durban but missed the Tshwane leg earlier this month because of her 5000m race at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Her absence from Gqeberha will end her hopes of winning her maiden Grand Prix title and the R2 013 000 prize. 

However, Kavanagh says her focus is firmly on building her international career.

"So, it's been quite a busy racing season between racing 5 km and 10 km, but I really enjoyed it. So, I'm going to be racing in Copenhagen on the 5 km road, which I am excited for. Then, I know the P.E. SPAR race is the following weekend, but unfortunately, I am not going to be back in South Africa in time for that," said.

"I have some other things planned, which I can't confirm yet, but I have some other exciting plans that I won't be in the country for. So, ja, I unfortunately won't be doing the SPAR leg."

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Kavanagh says she is more interested in building her World Athletics profile through international competition than chasing honours on the local circuit, and she has no regrets about missing the Gqeberha race.

Kavanagh will now turn her attention to the Hollywoodbets Durban 10km at Kingsmead Cricket Stadium on Sunday at 7am.

She goes into the race as the women’s elite favourite in what is the richest-paying 10km race in Africa.

Kavanagh clocked a personal best of 14:58.49 in her 5000m debut at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

She enjoyed the experience and hopes it will open the door to more international opportunities.

The self-coached Kavanagh believes she is in the best possible shape to challenge for victory in Durban on Sunday morning.