Lebogang Phalula will compete in Joburg, just six days after making her marathon debut (photo credit: Mark Sampson
Local favourite Lebo Phalula will square off against in-form Zimbabwean Rutendo Nyahora this weekend for the women’s title at the inaugural FNB Joburg 10k CityRun, organisers have revealed.
While Phalula and Nyahora both struggled to hit top form at the Olympic marathon in Rio last month, finishing 63rd and 92nd respectively, they have been in good form since returning from the Games.
Phalula showed a turn of speed to win the recent Randburg Harriers Street Mile and finished second in the 10km race at the Cape Town Marathon last week in 33:25.
“I want to run fast… and after Cape Town I know that I am in good shape,” Phalula said.
Nyahora, meanwhile, coasted to victory at the fourth leg of the Spar Women’s Grand Prix 10km series in Centurion, clocking 35:25 as she crossed the line 15 seconds ahead of Phalula.
“The Olympics are a month behind us and I am in good shape after my win in Centurion on a tough course,” Nyahora said.
“It will be good to race against my friends and rivals, the Phalula sisters, but I know this will be a hard race.
“They always go out hard and push the pace from the gun, but I am confident that I can take them on and even beat them.”
While Phalula’s twin sister Lebogang was also included in the line up for this week’s contest, she finished third in her 42km debut at the Cape Town Marathon at the weekend in 2:38:00, and she was unlikely to have recovered sufficiently to contend for the win.
Organisers announced an elite men’s field last week which included local stars Stephen Mokoka and Elroy Gelant.
The Joburg 10K CityRun, which offers a R190 000 prize purse, will be held on Saturday.