Kenyan runner Fridah Ndinda put in a strong performance on a tough, hilly course in the inaugural Hollywoodbets Joburg 10km race to claim the Women’s title in a time of 33:57.
Ndinda was followed home by Hollywood Athletics Club elite runner Neheng Khatala in 34:29. Meanwhile Boxer Athletics Club’s Karabo More, who trains under the watchful eye of Caster Semenya, rounded out the top three, just four seconds behind Khatala.
The 23-year-old Ndinda who is no stranger to the South African running scene after participating in two Absa Run Your City Series events (Gqeberha and Tshwane legs) was delighted to obtain her first win in the country which was accompanied by a R37 500 cheque. She would go on to praise the race organizers for putting on a top class event.
“The race was good, and the weather was good too. I enjoyed the course even though it was quite difficult as it [had] too many up and down hills. I’m happy with my time. Plus the race was well organized from water points and the marshalls, they [a] did good job as they were showing the right way to follow. I didn’t get lost so I must thank Hollywoodbets 10km organizers for the wonderful race,” said Ndinda after the race
Ndinda who has a personal best time of 32:25 clocking over 10km achieved in 2022 Absa Run Your City Durban 10km promised to come back to race in the country next year.
We have our champions! 🏆
— Hollywood Athletics Club (@HWAthleticsClub) November 16, 2024
Huge congratulations to Vincent Kipkorir(29:51) and Fridah Ndinda(33:57) on a stellar finish at the Hollywoodbets Joburg 10km! 💜
Your determination and speed are nothing short of inspiring. Let’s give them the applause they deserve! 👏… pic.twitter.com/0WaMttnR7u
“Now it’s time to go back and sharpen my workouts and start working towards next season. I’ll be back in South Africa next year to do the Gqeberha 10km race. Seeing other female athletes doing well motivates me,” she said.
Meanwhile, Hollywood Athletics Club star Khatala will be pleased with second place after saying during press conference on Friday that only a podium finish will do. This after having little time to prepare after winning the Soweto Marathon in the first week of November.
“I’m feeling good and so happy with my today’s performance. I needed the top three and I did it. I don’t have any secret. After the [Soweto] Marathon, I rested for a week and the following week I started to jog. Then I did a light fartlek on Thursday. The legs were rolling but I could feel that my back was still sore,” explained, Khatala, who walked away with R30 000 prize money for her efforts.
She also spoke about the course being tough.
“It was a very brutal and demanding course so I had to assess how strong other ladies were. I couldn’t make any move because the first lady was strong so I told myself let me worry about her. I kept up with my pace and I felt good. I was stuck for the first six kilometres as my body wasn’t responding, [but] the last four kilometres felt good and it was a little bit late to catch the first lady,” she said.
