Tara shows it’s in the running genes

The Kempston 10km race for women along with a huge 5km fun run, continued to enjoy the support of thousands of women and girls from all corners of the city on Saturday afternoon.

The 5km was again the bigger of the two and one seasoned marathon runner, who ran and walked with her daughter, told the Daily Dispatch that for the first 500m it was a case of shuffle at a snail's pace despite a wide, double-sided suburban road.

Those are technical challenges the organisers will not be unhappy to deal with as growth continues. It is purely a fun run and not a timed road race with no damage done to aspirations.

The 10km with a good field, but far more manageable, was positioned to get all participants over the start line far quicker. That said, it too has become far more of a social event than the serious road race it started out as in 1983 when all participants were chasing times and position. In itself, that is considered a positive as a feeder into the sport.

Up front, the pre-race favourites Cindy and Tara Schwulst, took off at the gun and were never challenged or threatened for the entire 10km.

The Easy Equities Born 2 Run sisters looked totally relaxed and out on an afternoon amble through the suburbs of Nahoon, Woodleigh, Stirling and Bunkers Hill.

The result was that they simply ran together, paid little heed to time and finished first and second.

However, there was a sting in the tail when younger sister Tara, who is coached by older sister Cindy, hit the grass at the Oxford Striders field and broke into a sprint. Cindy seemed more bemused than anything and smiled her way into second place.

Speaking on Sunday, Cindy said of young Tara's tactic at the finish: "I knew she was going to do that and I know how fast she is. She has a good kick and when she goes, she goes."

The times were in the region of 41:29, 41:30 (official results not yet published) which is fairly moderate, but with no one pushing there was no urgency and the majority of runners would pay for similar times.

Cindy also pointed out that she is preparing for the South African Triathlon Championships in two weeks’ time and that Tara, on the same weekend has targeted the all new Ocean View 10 race in Gonubie for a fast, hopefully personal best time.

Stephanie Smith of Massmart, appeared to be using the race as a training run of sorts, pushing her daughter Nola in a pram, and finished third ahead of Nicole Thysse who looked as though she may chase for third at one stage. She was the first sub-veteran (35-39) and the Oxford Strider eventually settled for a credible fourth.