Defending champion Glenrose Xaba targets third title at SPAR Grand Prix

SPAR Grand Prix defending champion Glenrose Xaba is on a mission to make history as she chases her third title. The Boxer Athletics Club runner made a dominant start to her campaign at the first SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge in Cape Town on Sunday, claiming victory in an impressive time of 33 minutes and 13 seconds.

Her triumph earned her 20 points for the win, plus five bonus points, placing her at the top of the leaderboard – just one point ahead of Ethiopian competitor Salem Gebre of Nedbank. Gebre, who also secured five bonus points, was one of only two senior runners to achieve this feat in the race.

Last season, Xaba dominated the series by securing maximum bonus points in all her races. However, her time in Cape Town was slower than expected, possibly due to a 30-minute delay at the start of the race, implemented for safety reasons.

Speaking after the race, Xaba expressed mixed feelings about her performance.

“We stood too long at the start, and my muscles became very stiff, making it difficult for my body to respond well,” she said. “But I am happy that I managed to stay focused and win the race.”

Xaba’s training partner, Karabo Mailula, currently sits in third place on the leaderboard with 17 points, while former SPAR Grand Prix winner Lebo Phalula occupies fourth place with 16 points. 

Phalula’s stellar performance in Cape Town also positioned her at the top of the 40-49 age group, just one point ahead of SPAR Grand Prix debutant Olga Firsova from Australia, who finished eighth overall.

In the 50-59 age category, Capetonian Anne Stewart of Atlantic Athletics Club holds the lead, while evergreen Judy Bird (Boxer) tops the 60+ age group, narrowly ahead of Maxed Elite’s Grace De Oliveira. 

Both Bird and De Oliveira earned bonus points in Cape Town.

The junior division is currently led by Wiepke Schoeman of Boxer.

The next leg of the SPAR Women’s 10km Grand Prix series is scheduled to take place in Durban on Sunday, June 22, where Xaba will look to extend her lead and take another step toward her third title.