Glenrose Xaba of Boxer AC won the women’s 10km at the Region 5 Marathon in 33:48, while Namibia’s Lavinia Haitope claimed the 21km in 1:14:41 and Carina Swiegers, also of Boxer AC, took the 5km in 17:19 at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Sunday, 1 November 2026.
The race, hosted by Athletics South Africa in partnership with the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), offered World Athletics ranking points ahead of the 2027 World Athletics Road Running Championships.
Xaba won by more than a minute from Lesotho’s Agnes Tjoka of Nedbank Running Club Lesotho, who ran 35:12 to finish second overall while competing in the 40 to 49 age category. Zanele Maisa was third in 35:34.
Xaba, who described the conditions as very hot, said she was glad to finish first and that she had run with the leading bunch, including 21km runner Irvette van Zyl, until the 10km and 21km fields separated.
“I said that I would come just to my tempo run. I’m glad that I was to run a good time also. And the course is very challenging. It’s starting with the hills, it’s finishing with the hills.”
Region 5 Marathon 10km Champion, Glenrose Xaba
Namibians Angala Tuuliki (35:51) and Shiivomwene Shilongo (36:27) placed fourth and fifth, ahead of Elizabeth Mmatlala Hutamo of Boxer Superstores AC GN in 36:39. Lesotho’s Malineo Mahloko (37:00), Tinyiko Ndala (37:41), Zimbabwe’s Patience Garauzive of Nedbank Running Club Zimbabwe (37:55) and Malawi’s Enipher Kaponda (37:59) rounded out the top 10.
In the 21km, South African women filled the podium places behind Haitope. Four-time Olympian Van Zyl of Hollywood AC, who won the open 21km in 2025, finished second in 1:15:16, less than a minute behind the winner, with Karabo Mailula of Boxer AC third in 1:15:46.
Lesotho’s Likeleli Majara placed fourth in 1:19:19. Kenyans Melan Chepleting Misikhu (1:19:52) and Mildred Chepkemei Kinyanja (1:20:30), both of Nedbank Running Club International, finished fifth and sixth, with Botswana’s Maitumelo Gotswakgosi seventh in 1:21:49. Kenya’s Mary Njambi Njuguna (1:22:25), Gladys Watare Wachuka (1:23:21) and Lina Jepkemoi Kaino (1:23:34) completed the top 10.
Swiegers led a South African top five in the 5km. Mpho Katiso finished second in 17:44 and Chanel Groenewald of Boxer AC third in 18:13, with Athletics Gauteng North pair Mpho Mokwena (18:25) and Amogelang Mbiza (18:31) fourth and fifth. Katiso, Groenewald, Mokwena and Mbiza all competed in the W19 age category.
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It was Xaba’s first appearance at the Region 5 Marathon, and she praised the event for developing athletes across the southern region, saying it gave hope to those who had not yet qualified and encouraged them to aim for international competition.
Boxer AC athletes won two of the three women’s titles and reached the podium in all three races.
Elite Women’s 21km Finishers at the at the Region 5 Marathon at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Sunday, 1 November 2026
1. Lavinia Haitope (Namibia) 1:14:41
2. Irvette van Zyl (South Africa, Hollywood AC) 1:15:16
3. Karabo Mailula (South Africa, Boxer AC) 1:15:46
4. Likeleli Majara (Lesotho) 1:19:19
5. Melan Chepleting Misikhu (Kenya, Nedbank Running Club International) 1:19:52
6. Mildred Chepkemei Kinyanja (Kenya, Nedbank Running Club International) 1:20:30
7. Maitumelo Gotswakgosi (Botswana) 1:21:49
8. Mary Njambi Njuguna (Kenya, Nedbank Running Club International) 1:22:25
9. Gladys Watare Wachuka (Kenya, Super Eagles Athletics Club) 1:23:21
10. Lina Jepkemoi Kaino (Kenya, Nedbank Running Club International) 1:23:34
Women’s 10km Top 10
1. Glenrose Xaba (South Africa, Boxer AC) 33:48
2. Agnes Tjoka (Lesotho, Nedbank Running Club Lesotho) 35:12
3. Zanele Maisa (South Africa) 35:34
4. Angala Tuuliki (Namibia) 35:51
5. Shiivomwene Shilongo (Namibia) 36:27
6. Elizabeth Mmatlala Hutamo (South Africa, Boxer Superstores AC GN) 36:39
7. Malineo Mahloko (Lesotho) 37:00
8. Tinyiko Ndala (South Africa) 37:41
9. Patience Garauzive (Zimbabwe, Nedbank Running Club Zimbabwe) 37:55
10. Enipher Kaponda (Malawi) 37:59
Women’s 5km Top 5
1. Carina Swiegers (South Africa, Boxer AC) 17:19
2. Mpho Katiso (South Africa) 17:44
3. Chanel Groenewald (South Africa, Boxer AC) 18:13
4. Mpho Mokwena (South Africa, Athletics Gauteng North) 18:25
5. Amogelang Mbiza (South Africa, Athletics Gauteng North) 18:31
Main Photo Caption: Glenrose Xaba of Boxer AC won the women’s 10km in 33:48 at the Region 5 Marathon, while Namibia’s Lavinia Haitope took the 21km in 1:14:41 and Carina Swiegers claimed the 5km in 17:19 at the Region 5 Marathon at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Sunday, 1 November 2026. All Photos: Cecile van Bers
Photo 2 Caption: Carina Swiegers of Boxer AC led a South African top five in the women’s 5km at the Region 5 Marathon in 17:19.
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