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Johannesburg - Kesa Molotsane, the winner of the second round of the Spar Women’s Challenge 10km road race, which was held in Port Elizabeth at Pollok Beach, is ready to hit the trail in the Durban leg on Sunday.
Molotsane won the race last month after taking second in her maiden road event in Green Point in Cape Town in April.
The Bloemfontein-based runner said her success so far was due to the hard work she has been putting in.
“It is all down to hard work, but I can’t relax as I haven’t won the series yet,” she said during a telephone interview.
Molotsane said winning put her under more pressure.
“I am new, but on top of the log. Each race motivates me as I am a threat to my opponents. That’s why I have to work three times harder than before. When I came through, no one expected me to win because I am new to this type of race”.
Staying focused
The 25-year-old won the race in 33.13 minutes, just a few seconds ahead of Irvette van Zyl (33.21 minutes) and seasoned long-distance campaigner Mapaseka Makhanya, who came third (33.40 minutes).
Responding to a question on who her biggest opponent was, the national 5 000m champion said she respected all her fellow competitors, but that she focuses on herself.
Molotsane said it was not easy adapting to road running coming from a Grand Prix, cross-country and track background.
“In my first race, it was uncomfortable because I was not used to road running, but I had to adapt and that meant staying focused”.
Sunday's race begins at Growthpoint Kings Park Stadium at 08:00.
There will also be a 5km run or walk at the end of the race.
The event will be the third of six races that Spar will host this year. The next one will be in Pretoria on August 5.
