Tayla Kavanagh failed to challenge Glenrose Xaba's national 10k record as she overcame an early fall and strong winds to claim victory in the Hollywoodbets Durban 10K on Sunday.
Image: Michael Fragoeiro Photography
DURBAN — Tayla Kavanagh overcame an early fall and strong winds to claim victory in the Hollywoodbets Durban 10K on Sunday, setting a new course record of 31:39 in a performance that underlined the Durban athlete’s remarkable resurgence this season.
Kavanagh’s hopes of challenging Glenrose Xaba’s South African 10km record were dented when she was tripped around the 3km mark, but the setback failed to derail her.
“I was really furious at the time,” Kavanagh admitted during the post-race media conference. “It was a little bit unexpected, but no matter what happens, I always tell myself that you’ve got to get up and keep going regardless of what occurs.”
She quickly regained her composure, using the adrenaline from the incident to propel her forward and complete what she described as a "really good run".
“I just said to myself mentally, ‘Get up, you’ve still got to put in the work and get the job done.’ So I recollected myself after a bit of a stumble and tried to use that adrenaline to keep going.”
The fall proved costly, however, as Kavanagh acknowledged that it interrupted her rhythm after a fast opening 5km. Combined with increasingly strong winds in the second half, it ended any realistic chance of threatening Xaba’s 31:12 national mark.
Yet there was no disappointment about the missed opportunity. Kavanagh believes the record will come when the conditions, course, and race all align.
“The SA record that Glenrose holds is definitely something that I do want to get in the near future,” she confessed. “I do respect the record, though, so I know it will come on a good day when all things are aligned.”
For now, Kavanagh is content to be patient.
“It’s something I’d love to have my name next to. So, yeah, patience is key. I know it’ll come when the time is right.”
Winning her home club race, meanwhile, made the victory particularly special for the Hollywood Athletics Club runner.
“I’ve always wanted to win my own club race, so today I think that was just really special,” she said.
Kavanagh’s latest triumph is another milestone in what has become an outstanding 18 months. She attributes her resurgence to taking greater ownership of her preparation after becoming self-coached, and rediscovering what works specifically for her.
“I’ve found something that really clicks and works well for me,” she told the media. “What’s good for Tayla is not necessarily good for someone else. I’ve found what works for me, and I think that’s working really well.”
Kavanagh finished ahead of Hollywood Athletics Club teammate Neheng Khathala, with the Lesotho athlete settling for second in 32:01 after targeting a sub-32-minute run. Karabo Mailula completed the podium after edging Cacisile Sosibo in a tight battle for third.
Khathala said the wind made the second half particularly difficult, forcing her to abandon her pursuit of a 3:10-per-kilometre pace and focus instead on maintaining her rhythm.
For Kavanagh, though, the biggest takeaway was another victory, another course record, and further evidence that her best running is still ahead of her.
Tshepo Tshite was victorious in the men’s race, with the Phantane Athletics Club runner beating Kenyan Stephen Kangethe in a sprint finish after the Nedbank Club runner entered Kingsmead Stadium first. Kabelo Mulaudzi completed the podium spots in third place.
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