Glenrose Xaba becomes first black South African to win three SPAR Grand Prix titles
Glenrose Xaba became the first black South African to win three SPAR Grand Prix titles after claiming victory in the Gqeberha SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge, securing the overall series with an unassailable lead.
Image: Micheal Sheehan / Gallo Images
Defending champion Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) made history over the weekend by becoming the first black South African to claim three SPAR Grand Prix titles after winning the Gqeberha SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge.
Xaba previously lifted the trophy in 2018 and 2024, cementing her status as one of South Africa’s premier distance runners.
With this victory, Xaba now has an unassailable 115 points in the series standings, securing the title even if she misses the final race of the SPAR Grand Prix in Johannesburg on Sunday. “I hope my winning the SPAR Grand Prix three times will encourage young athletes,” said Xaba. “I hope they look at what I have achieved and think to themselves, if she can do it, so can I.”
Ethiopian runner Selam Gebre (Nedbank) is second on the log with 101 points. Still recovering from running the Buenos Aires Marathon, Gebre showed her resilience by finishing fifth over the weekend. Third place goes to Tuks athlete Karabo Mailula with 88 points, just two points ahead of Gebre’s teammate Dinayah Abaraya.
The Junior category continues to be led by Wiepke Schoeman (Boxer) with 35 points, ahead of teammates Chanell Groenewalt (26) and Taya Pelser (14). In the Masters categories, Janie Grundling (Peak Performance) tops the 40-49 category with 20 points, while Anne Stewart (Atlantic) leads the 50-59 category with 23 points, narrowly ahead of Boxer runner Elizabeth Potter (20). Judy Bird dominates the 60-plus category with 40 points, with former Comrades Marathon gold medallist Grace de Oliveira (Maxed Elite) in second place on 28 points.
Xaba now joins an elite group of multiple-time SPAR Grand Prix champions, including South Africans Rene Kalmer and Irvette van Zyl, Ethiopian Tadu Nare, and Namibian Helalia Johannes. Her achievement not only highlights her personal excellence but also serves as an inspiration for the next generation of South African athletes.
The SPAR Grand Prix series concludes with the fifth and final race, the Jozi Challenge, at Marks Park on Sunday. The race is already sold out, marking all five events in this year’s series as fully subscribed, and setting the stage for a thrilling finale.