Boxer runner Glenrose Xaba took another step towards securing her second Spar Grand Prix title (Xaba won the series title in 2018) on Saturday, when she won the Gqeberha Spar Women’s 10km Challenge just outside of her own national record in 31:22, in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape, on Saturday, 21 September, 2024.
“I planned to lead from the start, and I was aiming for a sub-32 time. I was hoping to break my national record of 31:12, but I am very happy with my race.”
2024 Gqeberha Spar Women’s 10km Challenge Champion, Glenrose Xaba
Ethiopian junior, Diniya Abaraya (Nedbank) was second in 31:33 – the world’s 13th fastest time by a junior. Her compatriot, defending Spar Grand Prix title holder Tadu Nare, was third in 31:48.
Running in almost perfect conditions, on a cool morning, Xaba, Nare and Abaraya surged ahead from the start, and by about the 3km mark, were almost half a kilometre ahead of the rest of the pack. Xaba broke away at about 7.5kms leaving the two Ethiopians running together.
Nare, who won a million rand in a marathon in Mbombela last weekend, appeared to be taking some strain, finishing 15 seconds behind her teammate.
Carina Viljoen (Randburg HS), normally a 1500m track runner, surprised everyone when she powered into fourth place, in 33:10.
Two former Spar Grand Prix winners, Diana-Lebo and Lebogang Phalula, now running in the 40–49-year category, showed they are still contenders by finishing in eighth and 10th place respectively.
“I had a very good race today. Tadu, Diniya and I pushed hard from the start,” she said, adding that she had made history by finishing in the top three so soon after running a marathon.
“I ran 42kms last weekend, and normally, I should rest for two months after a marathon. My coach pushed me to run, and I am very happy to be in the top three seven days after that marathon. I don’t look at it as having lost the race today – I feel as if I had won,” said Nare.
Spar Grand Prix Defending Champion, Ethiopia’s Tadu Nare
The United States-based Viljoen is currently South Africa for a few months for strength training, said she had been training at high altitude in California and had entered the race because she wanted to see how she went at sea level.
“I entered because I thought it would be fun to run at sea level, but I didn’t realise how much fun it would be. I used to run Spar 10km races before I went to the United States, but this is the first I have done for some time. I had hoped to break 34 minutes, so I was very happy to nearly break 33. I love running in my home country,” she said.
5200 runners took part in the Gqeberha leg of the Spar Women’s 10KM Challenge and 5km Fun Run.
The final leg of the 2024 Spar Grand Prix series will be run in Johannesburg on Sunday, 6 October 2024.
Leading Senior Spar 10km Challenge Gqeberha Results at Pollok Beach in the Eastern Cape on Saturday, 21 September 2024
1. Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) 00.31.22
2. Diniya Abaraya (Nedbank) 00.31.33
3. Tadu Nare (Nedbank) 00.31.48
4. Carina Viljoen (Randburg HS) 00.33:10
5. Karabo Mailula (Tuks) 00.33.20
6. Blandina Mokulubete Makatisi (Maxed Elite) 00.33.27
7. Cacisile Sosibo (Boxer) 00.33.34
8. Diana-Lebo Phalula-Mzazi (Boxer) 00.34:24
9. Malineo Mahloko (Maxed Elite) 00.34:55
10. Lebogang Phalula-Luthuli (Boxer) 00.35:12
Junior
1. Diniya Abaraya (Nedbank) 00.31.33
2. Abbie Mitchell (School) 00.49.23
3. Akhona Zake (Chilliep) 00.53.09
40-49
1. Lebo Phalula-Mzazi (Boxer) 00.34:24
2. Lebogang Phalula-Luthuli (Boxer) 00.35:12
3. Ntombesintu Mfunzi (Nedbank) 00.38:56
50-59
1. Elizabeth Potter (Boxer) 00.40:05
2. Janene Carey (Boxer) 00.42:24
3. Michelle Howes (Ikhamva) 00.42.30
60-6:
Judy Bird (Boxer) 00.41.42
2. Grace de Oliviera (Maxed Elite) 00.43:39
3. Christine Claasen (Nedbank) 00.45:33
70+
Jos Els (Madiba) 01.04:15
2. Helene Oppel (Eliteac) 01.11:56
3. Jeanette Pienaar (Run4C) 01.15:18
Original Copy: BLD Communications, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Glenrose Xaba took another step towards a second Spar Grand Prix title when she won the Gqeberha Spar Women’s 10km Challenge just outside of her own national record in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape on Saturday, 21 September, 2024. Photo: Micheal Sheehan / Gallo Images
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