Times Of Swaziland: TERRAIN UNFAMILIAR – LADIES CHAMP

TERRAIN UNFAMILIAR – LADIES CHAMP
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Melusi Mkhabela on 19/02/2024 08:26:00


MBABANE – Samkelisiwe Tfwala, the 21km ladies champion, successfully defended
her title in her category ahead of 13 other daring runners.
Despite finishing in seventh place overall, her impressive average pace of 5:15
minutes per kilometre allowed her to complete the race in 1:50:24 hours, roughly
29 minutes after Nkosinathi Msibi, who won the race in the men’s 21km
category. In her post-race comments, the sub-veteran division athlete noted that
the unfamiliar terrain from previous competitions, posed challenges due to its
uneven nature, unlike the consistent surface of a tar road. She also remarked on
the favourable weather conditions of the race day, highlighting the absence of
rain which often leads to slippery terrain in other races. Tfwala expressed her
satisfaction with the race day, citing improved running conditions and the
captivating scenery of the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary.
slippery
“Today’s (Saturday) race was better in terms of weather compared to the
others, because it was not raining, where in other races you find that the
terrain slippery, causing us to fall along the route, but today (Saturday) I was
able to run well,” she said. However, she admitted to feeling nervous at times
due to unexpected wildlife encounters. When asked about the difference between
tar roads and gravel/trail surfaces, Tfwala emphasised that while tar roads can
be harsh on the joints, gravel and trail terrains offer a softer and more
comfortable running experience for athletes. “When I saw the wildlife in
certain areas of the route, for instance, there was an area where I heard a
noise and instantly thought it was a lion, which made me run even faster as I
was scared. Otherwise, I had quite an enjoyable time at Mlilwane,” expressed
the proud champion.