Glenrose Xaba made history in ‘The City of Roses’, winning the women’s race at the inaugural Absa Run Your City Mangaung 10k to become the first South African woman to win an Absa Run Your City Series race this year, at the Kings Way finish in Bloemfontein on Sunday, 25 October 2026.
Xaba took control of the sold-out race from the start. Kenya’s Jackline Rotich stayed close initially, but the Boxer Athletics Club top runner gradually opened an unassailable gap over her East African rival.
Xaba, South Africa’s fastest female marathoner of all time (2:22:22), crossed the line unchallenged in 32:10, five seconds ahead of Rotich (32:15), as Lesotho’s Neheng Khatala took third in 32:19.
Xaba was delighted to claim her first Absa Run Your City Series victory of the year.
“I’m happy to win the first Absa Run Your City Mangaung 10k. I’m happy that I’m the one who crossed the line first. I’m also happy with my time.”
Inaugural Absa Run Your City Mangaung 10k Champion, Glenrose Xaba
“Although the course presented us with a challenging hill after 7km, it was an enjoyable route,” said Xaba.
Gerda Steyn finished sixth in 35:01 as the second South African woman home. The five-time Comrades Marathon and seven-time Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon winner, who grew up in the northern Free State town of Bothaville and studied at the University of the Free State, said the event brought prestige to the country’s heartland while inspiring young runners from the region to chase their dreams.
“Never think it can’t be you. When I think back about the years I lived here in Bloemfontein, no one would have thought Gerda would become a professional athlete, win the Comrades or become an Olympian. You can become something if you work really hard for it and believe in your dreams. You can become great if you are willing to put in the hard work on a daily basis,” she said.
Kenya’s Maurine Chepkorir finished fourth in 32:34, with compatriot Naomi Chepkorir fifth in 34:36. Behind Steyn, Lesotho’s Dikeledi Majara placed seventh in 35:17. South Africans Ntsoaki Molahloe and Este van Tonder crossed together in 35:30 for eighth and ninth, and Kirsti Bell completed the top 10 in 39:04.
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Jabulile Nsibanyoni, Head of Sponsorship at Absa Group, said the warm reception from the Mangaung community made the series’ first visit to the city a truly special occasion, reinforcing Absa’s excitement about building a lasting connection with the local running community.
“What an incredible welcome we received in Mangaung! The energy, enthusiasm and community spirit were truly evident on race day,” said Nsibanyoni. “Seeing runners, walkers and families coming together made the event an unforgettable experience.”
“We are grateful for the warmth, support and sense of unity shown by the people of Mangaung, which made our first event in the city so special. We look forward to returning in the years ahead, building on this incredible foundation and making the Absa Run Your City Mangaung 10k bigger and better with each edition.”
Leading Results at the Absa Run Your City Mangaung 10k in Bloemfontein on Sunday, 25 October, 2026
1. Glenrose Xaba (South Africa) 32:10
2. Jackline Rotich (Kenya) 32:15
3. Neheng Khatala (Lesotho) 32:19
4. Maurine Chepkorir (Kenya) 32:34
5. Naomi Chepkorir (Kenya) 34:36
6. Gerda Steyn (South Africa) 35:01
7. Dikeledi Majara (Lesotho) 35:17
8. Ntsoaki Molahloe (South Africa) 35:30
9. Este van Tonder (South Africa) 35:30
10. Kirsti Bell (South Africa) 39:04
Original Copy: Stillwater Sports, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Glenrose Xaba claimed the women’s title at the inaugural Absa Run Your City Mangaung 10k in 32:10, holding off Kenya’s Jackline Rotich and Lesotho’s Neheng Khatala to become the first South African woman to win an Absa Run Your City Series race this year, at the Kings Way finish in Bloemfontein on Sunday, 25 October 2026. All Photos: Tobias Ginsberg
Photo 2 Caption: Gerda Steyn, the five-time Comrades Marathon champion, finished sixth in 35:01 as the second South African woman home in the Free State capital.
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