'I'm really looking forward to being in the mix' - Tayla Kavanagh injury free and positive ahead of Absa CAPE TOWN 10K

After a breakthrough performance at the 2021 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K which saw her down top quality opposition including the likes of Glenrose Xaba and Neheng Khatala in a personal best 32:10, much was expected of Tayla Kavanagh. That memorable winning run at the first post-Covid Absa RYC race promised a bright future for the then 20-year-old. But four years later, Kavanagh is yet to reach those mercurial heights after a slew on non-stop injuries.

"Injuries do happen in sport. After the World Cross Country Championships, it was tough coming back home having torn my glute which was quite unfortunate," she told #TheTopRunner after her last serious injury fourteen month s ago."It's tough coming from injury. I know most people look at the results and judge from there. They forget that there is a lot of work going on in the background. I have done a lot of rehab to strengthen my body. I know one day it will pay off. I just need to have confidence to keep going and good performances will definitely come."

Kavanagh in action during the 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K. Photo Credit: Anthony Grote.

Those performances started to come at the tail end of the 2024 season. The 24-year-old grabbed a podium finish at the KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KZNA) 5km Championships in July and then ran 32:38 (the third fastest time of her career) to win the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon 10km Peace Run last October to set her up for a positive 2025, which is has started solidly. Kavanagh reigned supreme at the Balwin Sport Peninsula Half Marathon in 1:20:31 back in February and then clocked a season’s best 34:20 to win her second race of the year - the Durban International Marathon 10km race on 4 May.

"I'm very happy to win," she said moments after crossing the finish line over almost a full minute ahead of runner-up Bridget Theunissen. "This year is all about approaching one race at a time and improve from there. Finishing on the podium is a big confidence booster. I think that after having a tough time last year, it's nice to build the consistency. To come out and test my legs indicates where I am with the process. Overall, I'm pleased with the performance."

Kavanagh winning the 2021 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K. Photo Credit: Tobias Ginsberg.

Encouraged by the injury-free start to the 2025 season, the Hollywood Athletics Club top runner takes on her first major 10km race of the year. She takes on Sunday’s Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K and is optimistic that against a top class field on a fast course she can approach the 33:02 that she produced for ninth place back in 2022. 

"I have ran the race before but I'm not too sure if they are using the same route. If it's still the same, then it a really fast course. I'm hoping the weather conditions won't be too windy as Cape Town is always windy. I'm really looking forward to being in the mix with fast ladies. I'm not focused on a specific time. The important thing is to execute a good race and have the best outcome. It’s all about how the body reacts on the day. In the past, I have performed best when I haven’t had huge time expectations."