Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) clinched the SPAR Grand Prix title on Sunday with an emphatic win in the Johannesburg SPAR 10km Women’s Challenge with a time of 32:48 for her fourth SPAR Women’s Challenge series win this year, in Johannesburg on Sunday, 6 October, 2024.
2023 SPAR Grand Prix winner Tadu Nare (Nedbank) was second in 34:00 and her Ethiopian teammate, Diniya Abaraya, was third in 34:14.
Xaba, Nare and Abaraya ran together for the first six kilometres, but then Xaba surged ahead and ran on her own for the rest of the race. Xaba, who won the title in 2018, became the first South African to win the SPAR Grand Prix title since international runners were admitted in 2019.
“I am very happy to have won the SPAR Grand Prix again,” said Xaba.
“I made many sacrifices to win, including not trying to qualify for the Olympic Games. My coaches, Caster Semenya and Violet Semenya persuaded me that there was a bigger picture.”
2024 SPAR Grand Prix Champion, Glenrose Xaba
She said it had been a tough race, with a number of difficult hills. “I knew it was going be a fast race today. The competition has been very good.”
Three times SPAR Grand Prix winner Nare said she had done her best throughout the year, and was happy with her performance.
“Glenrose has been a tremendous athlete from the get-go, and has just been getting stronger and stronger. I am so pleased for her, because she has put in the hard work.”
Three times SPAR Grand Prix winner, Tadu Nare
Abaraya, who has won the junior category of the SPAR Grand Prix, said this year had been one of the best and most challenging of her life.
“I have learnt so much from Tadu and Glenrose, who have helped me to be competitive. But I still have a lot to learn and a long way to go.”
Xaba’s coach, double Olympic gold medallist Caster Semenya, praised Xaba for her hard work and dedication.
“She’s determined, disciplined and willing to take instruction,” said Semenya. “I expect big things of her in the future.”
Xaba will be running the Cape Town Marathon on October 19, with many expecting her to break the national record. But Xaba says she has no expectations but plans to enjoy her first marathon.
Multiple ultra-marathon winner Gerda Steyn (Phantane), who finished in sixth place, said she had loved running the SPAR Women’s Challenge races.
“I am so excited to see how standards have improved,” said Steyn.
“In 2018, I finished second in the Jozi SPAR Women’s Challenge, in a time that was slower than my time today. I think the addition of the international runners has helped to push the South Africans. I am also very excited about the talent that is coming through.”
Leading Open Results of the SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge run at Marks Park in Johannesburg on Sunday, 6 October, 2024
1. Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) 0.32.48
2. Tadu Nare (Nedbank) 0.34.00
3. Diniya Abaraya (Nedbank) 0.34.14
4. Blandina Makatisi (Maxed Elite) 0.35.01
5. Millicent Nyaberi (Nedbank) 0.35.05
6. Gerda Steyn (Phantane) 0.35.11
7. Karabo More (Masai) 0.35.20
8. Karabo Mailula (Tuks) 0.35.33
9. Cacisile Sosibo (Boxer) 0.36.14
10. Karabo Motsoeneng (TUT) 0.36.26
Junior Podium Results
1. Diniya Abaraya (Nedbank) 0.34.14
2. Shanike Jordaan (Nedbank) 0.40.07
3. Jackie Coetzee (Boxer) 0.41.34
40-49
1. Diana-Lebo Phalula (Boxer) 0.37.24
2. Lebogang Phalula (Boxer) 0.38.31; 33
3. Jeannie Henderson (Nedbank) 0.39.40
50-59
1. Anne Stewart (Atlantic) 0.42.20
2. Elizabeth Potter (Boxer) 0.42.23
3. Ingrid Koster (Nedbank) 0.44.11
60-69
1. Judy Bird (Boxer) 0.43.51
2. Grace de Oliviera (Maxed Elite) 0.46.16
3. Karen Brough (Boxer) 0.49.58
70 and Over
1. Nancy Will (Pinelands) 0.52.23
2. Winnie Koekemoer (Gauteng North Masters) 0.59.28
3. Margaret Rousseau (Atlholang Primary) 1.11.39
Original Copy: BLD Communications, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Glenrose Xaba raced away from the pack to win the 2024 Johannesburg SPAR Grand Prix 10km title by more than a minute at Marks Sport Club on Sunday, 6 October 2024. Photo: Reg Caldecott
Photo 2 Caption: Race winner Xaba (left) runs shoulder-to-shoulder with 2023 Grand Prix champ, Ethiopia’s Tadu Nare, before pulling away for her win. Photo: Reg Caldecott
Photo 3 Caption: With her points for victories in Cape Town, Tshwane, Gqeberha and Johannesburg, Xaba, has reclaimed the SPAR Grand Prix title. Photo: Reg Caldecott
Photo 4 Caption: Running with fourth-placed finisher Blandina Makatisi, the queen of SA marathons, Gerda Steyn, finished an impressive 6th position. Photo: Reg Caldecott
Photo 5 Caption: Xaba will be running the Cape Town Marathon with many expecting her to break the national record, but Xaba says she has no expectations. Photo: Reg Caldecott
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