Blandina Makatisi targets Spar women’s 10km victory in Durban

Makatisi, who has a personal best of 32:05 in the 10km, was unable to compete in the earlier Spar race in Cape Town due to a scheduling conflict with the All-Africa Games in Ghana, causing her to miss out on crucial ranking points.

But, with four more events left in the series, Makatisi is determined to recover ground starting with the Durban event.

“The plan is to go all out for the win in Durban. My desire this year is to win the Grand Prix series and take it home back to Lesotho," said the ambitious 29-year-old.

"I will race hard and play catch up. I’m on zero points because of national duties and I'm determined to win and leapfrog the leaders in the series. 

"We have been working hard and want to make history this year. We are setting the bar high and going for the highest place on the podium. 

"Breaking the national record has motivated me to push myself to the limit, and going after the Grand Prix title is part of that goal."

Her recent victory at the Two Oceans Half-Marathon in Cape Town, where she clocked in at 1:13:52 to win a R20 000 prize, has further boosted her confidence.

In the Grand Prix series, spread across Cape Town, Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Tshwane, and Johannesburg, the top runner ultimately wins a car and a R200,000 prize.

The competition for the series title is expected to be fiercely contested, with Makatisi, Ethiopia's Tudu Nare, and South African Irvette Van Zyl all entering the upcoming race in Durban.

READ: Vincent Langat eyes another podium in Absa Run Your City