Nare retains her Grand Prix title in an emphatic style

Ethiopian road running sensation Tadu Nare defended her Spar Grand Prix women™s 10km series by winning five out of six races.

Nare, 21, bagged the prize money of R190 000 for winning the series on overall points.

She sealed the series with an impressive victory, clocking 31:53 at the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town on Sunday, finishing her campaign at the top of the leaderboard with 179 points.

The Nedbank Running Club star ran a sub-32 and wanted to prove that her dominance in this year™s race was not a fluke. She will receive more bonuses from her running club and R30 000 for winning each of the five races on top of the R190 000 purse.

Her compatriot Salem Gabre finished second with 32:18, with Namibian veteran Helalia Johannes settling for a third-place finish in 32:21.

Salem finished her series in second place with 170 points. Johannes settled for third place with 145 points after missing the series in 2021.

Kesa Molotsane was the first South African to cross the finish line coming in fourth place at 33:15, and ended her series with 145 points in fourth place on the leaderboard.

Moletsane walked away with R10 000 for being the first South African to finish the race. Johannes won the first race in Gqeberha, but Nare took control of the series with victories in Durban, Mbombela, Tshwane, Johannesburg, and Cape Town.

In 2021, she won six races but fell short by one victory and deserved her title.

Speaking through an interpreter, Nare was overwhelmed by the victory. œI am happy and excited about the victory. I want to thank everyone that supported me, said Nare.

She said she is planning on coming back next year: œThe plan was to run a sub-31, and things did not go according to plan. But I still managed to win the race,

Nare said she would use her prize money to complete the house she is building for her mother in Ethiopia.

œI bought land and plan to finish the house at home. I will invest some of the money, added Nare.

Johannes, 40, said she was proud of herself for finishing in third place at her age. œAt 40, I can still run and compete. I can™t complain, she said.

Molotsane said she was happy to be the highest-placed South African.

œIt™s been a difficult season. I have to rest and have been working on many things except running, I started the track season with doubt and did not get a better platform to showcase my running. It™s time to refresh and rest a little bit, said Molotsane.

By Charles Baloyi