Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) stormed to victory in the Tshwane Spar Women’s 10km Challenge in 32:53 minutes at Supersport Park in Tshwane, South Africa on Saturday afternoon, 3 July, 2024.
Ethiopian runner and defending Grand Prix title holder Tadu Nare was second, finishing two minutes after Xaba. It was Nare’s first defeat in the 10km Challenge Series since 2019.
Cacisile Sosibo (Boxer) was third in 35:21, while double Olympic Games gold medallist Caster Semenya (Masai) finished tenth, in 37:14.
Xaba and Nare ran side-by-side until about seven kilometres, when Xaba surged into the lead and never looked back.
In Durban last month, Xaba broke Elana Meyer’s long-standing 10km record by one second, with a time of 31:12. Meyer’s record had stood for 23 years.
“I am very excited to have beaten Tadu,” said Xaba. “I was very well prepared for this race and I was very focused. I won the Spar Grand Prix in 2018, and I want to win it again.
“I know Tadu is very strong on the hills, but my coach Caster is always telling me to finish strongly. I thought I would make my break at eight kilometres, but at six I was feeling good and decided to go for it,” said Xaba.
Nare said she had not been feeling well but decided to run anyway. “I am so happy for Glenrose, who has shown so much growth.
“I am in good condition – my stomach problems were just a coincidence. I will definitely be running the last two races in the series.”
Sosibo said she was very happy to be on the podium after being one of the most consistent runners in the Grand Prix series.
“I am also very pleased with the way I ran this race,” she said.
Semenya said she was very pleased with her performance, but even more pleased about the way Xaba had run.
“I really enjoyed the race, and I think I will do more of them,” she said.
Two Boxer athletes – Janene Carey and Ronel Thomas both ran their 100th Challenge race on Saturday. Only two other runners – Sonja Laxton and Grace de Oliveira – have achieved this milestone.
They both said the races were as hard as South African nationals.
“The best of the best run them, and you have to work very hard to do well,” said Thomas. “I love the Spar races because they are for women, and because of the great vibe.”
Leading Senior Results at the Spar Women’s 10km Challenge at SuperSport Park on Saturday, 3 August, 2024
1. Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) 00.32.53
2. Tadu Nare (Nedbank) 00.34.53
3. Cacisile Sosibo (Boxer) 00.35:21
4. Lebo Phalula-Mzazi (Boxer) 00.35:55
5. Carmie Prinsloo (Tuks) 00.36:01
6. Millicent Nyaberi (Nedbank) 00.36:20
7. Malineo Mahloko (Maxed Elite) 00.36:37
8. Karabo More (Masai) 00.36.55
9. Faith Kiptoo (Nedbank) 00.37:02
10. Caster Semenya 00.37:14
Junior
1. Wiepke Schoeman (Boxer) 00.38:45
2. Jackie Coertze (Boxer) 00.40:56
3. Stephanie Verschoor (Boxer) 00.42:45
40-49 Years
1. Lebo Phalula-Mzazi (Boxer) 00.35:55
2. Lebogang Phalula-Luthuli (Boxer) 00.38:14
3. Jeannie Henderson 00.39:38
50-59 Year
1. Anne Stewart (Atlantic) 00.42:11
2. Janene Carey (Boxer) 00.43:26
3. Tabitha Tsatsa (Nedbank) 00.44.10
60-69 Years
1. Judy Bird (Boxer) 00.43.37
2. Karen Brough (Boxer) 00.48:49
3. Grace de Oliviera (Maxed Elite) 00.52:19
70+
1. Winnie Koekemoer (AGN Masters) 01.01:15
2. Lettie Coetzee (Pretoria Bobbies) 01.05:29
3. Annatjie Greyvenstein (Irene) 01.06:46
Original Copy: BLD Communications, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) celebrates after winning the 2024 Spar Grand Prix 10km Tshwane at SuperSport Park on Saturday, 3 August 2024. This is second Grand Prix win in 2024 for Xaba after finishing first in the season opening race in Cape Town in March. Photo: Reg Caldecott
Photo 2 Caption: Ethiopian Tadu Nare (Nedbank) and Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) neck-and-neck at the 5km mark of the race on Saturday. Photo: Reg Caldecott
Photo 3 Caption: The top three finishers (from left) third-placed Cacisile Sosibo (Boxer), Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) and second-placed Tadu Nare (Nedbank). Photo: Reg Caldecott
Photo 4 Caption: Olympic gold medallist Caster Semenya finished an impressive 10th at the 2024 Tshwane Spar Grand Prix 10km race on Saturday. Photo: Reg Caldecott
Photo 5 Caption: Boxer Running Club runners Janene Carey and Ronel Thomas celebrate their 100th Women’s Challenge 10km race. Photo: Reg Caldecott
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