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What do Lebo Phalula, Christine Kalmer and Irvette van Zyl have in common? Well, these three ladies all run together in the popular Spar Grand Prix 10km race in South Africa. And now they will be running in the women’s 42km marathon in Rio de Janeiro next Sunday.
The interesting part is that they are all targeting the same goal: to finish in the top 15.
Phalula said running in this marathon will top the list of all her athletics achievements. This is the moment that she has been waiting for all her life.
Phalula said: “The time for talking is done now I just want to go out there and run. My goal is to make the top 15.”
Phalula is beaming with confidence. She is determined to do well and celebrate women’s month in style.
Kalmer is also ready to do her bit and make her country proud, but she does not want to put too much pressure on herself.
“I just want to enjoy myself; that is the ultimate goal for me. Being in the Olympics is an amazing feeling and running in it will be a dream come true for me.”
Van Zyl, who enjoys her rivalry with the other two ladies, also expressed her delight at running the marathon.
The athletes have been given 10 days to adjust to conditions in Rio. They arrived last Wednesday.
They will try to help each other along the way but, ultimately, the marathon is an individual sport.
For now they will put aside their rivalry, enjoy the occasion and get into the Olympic spirit.
