Lebogang Phalula outclassed international opposition in Dubai (photo credit: Mark Sampson)
Building on a fine run of recent form, Lebogang Phalula secured victory at the Dubai Women’s 10km race on Friday.
Just seven weeks after clocking 2:38:00 on her marathon debut, the 32-year-old South African charged to another impressive result as she crossed the line in 33:58.
It was the fifth time this year Phalula dipped under 34 minutes over the 10km distance.
She held off a challenge from Ugandan teenagers Mercyline Chelangat, who was fourth in the women’s 5 000m final at the U-20 World Championships in Bydgoszcz in July, and Stella Chesang, who won last year’s world mountain running title.
Chelangat finished second, three seconds behind Phalula, and Chesang was credited with the same time as her compatriot (34:01) in third place.
Former European Championships marathon silver medallist Olivera Jevtic of Serbia took fourth position in 34:40.