Tayla Kavanagh is in the form of her life and poised to deliver yet another world-class performance at the Absa Run Your City Cape Town 10K on Sunday, 10 May.
Image: Action Photo
Tayla Kavanagh’s rapid rise this year has been powered by an unlikely source: the track she only recently began to embrace.
Traditionally a road-running specialist, the Hollywood Athletics Club athlete from KwaZulu-Natal has added a significant track component to her programme this season, in a move that is now clearly translating into faster performances on the road.
The results have come quickly. In just three weeks, Kavanagh has set personal bests over 3 000m, 5 000m and 10km, underlining a sharp progression that has reshaped her expectations heading into the Absa Run Your City Cape Town10K on May 10.
Her latest statement of intenet, and of her versatility, came on yesterday's opening day of the ASA Senior Track and Field Championships in Stellenbosch, where the dimunitive runner streaked to vitory in the 5 000m final in a time oif 14:58.52.
“It was a good decision,” said the self-coached 24-year-old. “As someone without a track background, it’s been really good to add it into the mix this year. I think it’s helping me be faster on the road.”
That improvement was evident in Stellenbosch earlier this month, where she produced a dominant solo run to win the 3000m at the Cape Milers World Athletics Challenger Tour meet in a lifetime best 8:46.86.
Just weeks earlier, she had already signalled her growing form with a breakthrough 10km performance of 31:33, defeating Glenrose Xaba at the Cape Town leg of the Spar Women's 10km Challenge. It was telling that out-sprinted her rival at the finish line.
While the track has delivered the sharpness, Kavanagh remains clear about where her focus lies.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the track season, but the road is where my passion lies,” she said. “I’m looking forward to getting back to the 10km and seeing what we can do.”
The Cape Town race carries added significance for Kavanagh, who views last year’s edition as a key moment in her resurgence. After injury setbacks in 2023 and 2024, her fifth-place finish in 33:01 at the 2025 Absa Run Your City Cape Town10K marked the beginning of a steady climb back to form.
“I feel like that race is where I started to pick up my form again,” she said. “It’s a special race for me.”
Now, with her performances trending upward across distances, expectations are naturally growing – but Kavanagh continues to resist the pressure.
“I don’t have too many expectations,” she added. “I’ve just been enjoying the process. That’s when I perform at my best.”
Stillwater Sports managing director and series founder Michael Meyer believes the timing of her breakthrough could not be better.
“She’s been exceptional over the past few weeks,” Meyer said. “Her progression across multiple distances shows she’s in outstanding shape, and it’s exciting heading into Cape Town.”