The Kenyans and Ethiopians are widely regarded as the benchmark against which all distance running success is measured, and questions are always asked as to why South Africans are not more competitive against them on the international stage.

A few of southern Africa's elite women athletes believe it's far more than a lack of talent that is holding them back internationally. These athletes lined up in Cape Town this past weekend for the first of five races on the competitive Spar Women's 10km Challenge series.

On a flat course and a windless day in Cape Town, Mapaseka Makhanya ran a race record of 32.54 minutes to win. Zimbabwe's Rutendo Nyahora was second in a time of 33.03, also beating her previous race record of 33.06. And Lebogang Phalula took third in 33.20.

It was a fast start to the Spar series. But Sunday's times are still off the global standard that would make them even marginally competitive against the Kenyans and Ethiopians. Times closer to 30 and 31 minutes are needed for this.

But as Makhanya explained, the issue goes beyond simply whether the southern African girls have the talent to run faster or not.

"We go and run one or two races in Europe and they're running the whole circuit. If I could go over for five races, the fifth race might be my fastest. It's about the experience you get through those races.

"If we can get to those overseas races and run against the Kenyans and Ethiopians week in and week out, then it's easier for us to change our mindset towards them."

Makhanya would also like to see more support for local athletes.

"We need the support from South Africans and our media. Now when we go to an international race we believe we're useless because that's what we're being told."