Latest news with #TaylaKavanagh
IOL News
4 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Tayla Kavanagh plays the field to perfection in setting PB at Totalsports Women's Race Durban
Tayla Kavanagh (right) set a personal best of 31:53 in finishing fifth at the Totalsports Women's Race Durban on Sunday, behind Lesotho's Neheng Katala (left). Tayla Kavanagh cunningly used the strong international field to pull her along as she shattered her personal best 10km time at Sunday's extremely fast Totalsports Women's Race Durban, the local favourite confirming her status as one of the rising young stars of South African distance running. The consistent Kavanagh, who clocked 34:20 to win the Durban International Marathon 10km race on May 4, was the first South African runner home on Sunday. The 24-year-old Hollywood Athletics Club distance runner finished fifth in a fast time of 31:53. She dipped under 32 minutes for the first time. The race was won by defending champion Christine Njoki of Kenya, who broke the all-comers record in near-perfect conditions in a time of 30:14. Clare Ndiwa came in second in 31:37 while Jane Chacha finished third in 31:51, making it a clean podium sweep for the Kenyans. In fact, Kavanagh prevented a foreign sweep of the top 10 in the prestigious women's race that was the first of a series of three women-only races in August. 'My goal over the last while has been getting back to that 32:10, which was my PB. It's always nice to break that by quite a bit, so I'm really happy,' the Hillcrest-born ace told Independent Media Sport after her monumental achievement. 'I just went out there and I know I've been in good shape, so I was hoping to run a low 32. So to break 32, I'm really stoked. 'I knew the field was really strong today so I thought to myself you've got to use every opportunity you get on a fast course with a really strong field. And I think I just went out to run hard, use the girls and I caught up to a lot of them along the way. 'It's always quite motivational catching up to someone, running with them and then taking them because you're like one position ahead. It really helped having so many internationals here to pull me along and I think that's why I ran so well today.'
IOL News
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Tayla Kavanagh: A rising star in distance running focused on upcoming race in Durban
Tayla Kavanagh, a promising talent in South African distance running, is gearing up for her next race. Image: Supplied At just 24, Hillcrest-born Tayla Kavanagh has established herself as one of South Africa's top young distance runners. She will be in Durban this weekend to take part in the Totalsports Women's Race on August 3. A full-time elite athlete, Kavanagh said she has been running since the age of nine. 'I have always enjoyed running since I was young,' she said. 'I started at school in my junior years at 9 years old running cross country and I have been running ever since and have progressed over the years since then.' She said she was excited to get the opportunity to race in Durban. 'I thoroughly enjoy racing at home in Durban,' she said. 'I enjoy the fast, flat route, and the hometown support is always incredibly special. 'Training has continued as usual towards race day and I mentally prepare myself to race by reminding myself what I have already achieved, what I have done in training and focusing on my own goals for each day.' She expects strong performances in Durban given the favourable conditions. 'It is a great time of year to race in Durban, as the weather is usually excellent, providing perfect racing conditions,' she said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ With deep roots in her community, she said local encouragement means the world to her. 'I'm incredibly blessed to have a large support system here in Durban,' she said. 'The support means a lot to me, and I truly appreciate it a lot. It always makes racing in Durban super special as I know there is a lot of support out there and people rooting for me.' She said she looks up to many inspirational women. 'There are a lot of inspirational women across the globe, who are working hard, pushing limits and testing themselves and I have been inspired to do the same and chase after my own goals and dreams, one step at a time.' Looking ahead, she's focused on staying grounded and consistent. 'My own personal goals are to embrace every opportunity to enjoy running and racing and hoping to challenge myself to see what I can achieve,' she said. 'Being consistent and staying healthy and strong while focusing on enjoying the process.' THE MERCURY
