Nare returns to SPAR Grand Prix in style with victory in Gqeberha

Defending series champion Tadu Nare blew the field apart on Saturday, delivering a spectacular performance with a record-breaking victory at the second leg of the SPAR Grand Prix in Gqeberha.

The Ethiopian athlete, who missed the first race of the 10km road running series in Cape Town last month in order to compete at the London Marathon, returned to South African shores with a bang, ripping through the course to clock the fastest SPAR Grand Prix time ever run in Gqeberha.

Though she had compatriot Selam Gebre for company for most of the race, Nare tore away on a long downhill stretch in the closing stages and coasted along the beach front to secure a comfortable victory in 31:35.

"I needed someone to help me push myself to run sub-31, which was my plan, but I'm very happy with the outcome," Nare said afterwards.

"All in all it was a wonderful race. It was a great route and the weather was perfect. This is my favourite city."

Gebre grabbed second position in 31:53 and Glenrose Xaba, who did well to hang on to the pace in the first half, shattered her personal best to finish third in 32:12.

Blandina Makatisi of Lesotho was fourth in 32:46 and Cian Oldknow ended fifth in 32:49 in a lightning fast race, which saw nine women dipping under 34 minutes.

"I'm very happy with my result. The race went well," said Xaba, who was the first South African across the line.

"I came here with a positive mindset and was hoping to run a fast time. The weather conditions were good and Tadu pushed the pace, so I'm grateful to her because it allowed us to run fast times."

Further back in the field, former ultra-distance star Grace de Oliveira made history by becoming only the second woman (after Sonja Laxton) to complete 100 races in the annual SPAR Grand Prix.

De Oliveira, a seven-time Comrades Marathon gold medallist, admitted she hadn't felt well but she managed to hold on to finish third in the grandmasters (60-69 years) age group, completing the race in 48:55.

"It was an incredible moment to have the reception I received at the end of my 100th race. It gave me goosebumps," De Oliveira said.

"I wasn't feeling great and didn't have the best run, so I wasn't happy about my time, but I knew I had to do it today.

"Since my first race I wanted to be a part of this brand, which puts women first. The SPAR 10km races have always been close to my heart and they keep me young."