Glenrose Xaba chasing perfect SPAR Grand Prix sweep in Johannesburg

Glenrose Xaba’s status as South Africa’s queen of the 10km is already beyond doubt. The national record holder has multiple titles to her name and has once again secured the SPAR Grand Prix crown with a race to spare in 2024.

That might be reason enough for the Boxer Athletic Club star to ease off and focus on her marathon training — but not when history beckons. Xaba has won all four races in the series so far, in Durban, Cape Town, Tshwane and Gqeberha, and now has her sights firmly set on completing a clean sweep at Marks Park in Emmarentia on Sunday.

“My aim is to win the Jozi SPAR Grand Prix title on Sunday, which will give me five out of five Grand Prix titles this year,” she said. “However, I am aware that the competition will be tough on race day.”

Indeed, the challenge will be fierce. Her long-time rival Selam Gebre is determined to bounce back after fading to fifth place in Gqeberha, where the Nedbank Running Club Ethiopia athlete admitted her legs were still heavy from the Buenos Aires Marathon. Compatriot Dinayah Abaraya, who finished second last weekend, is also expected to push Xaba hard.

Adding extra sparkle to the Jozi showdown is the participation of South Africa’s road-running darling, Gerda Steyn. The ultra-marathon queen, preparing for the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, will use Sunday’s race as a sharpener.

“I love running the Jozi SPAR Women’s Challenge,” Steyn said. “The SPAR race is special because it is women only. I am always in Johannesburg at this time of year and so I always try to run it. The route is lovely, and the spirit is awesome.”

Her Hollywood Athletics Club teammate Irvette van Zyl, a three-time winner of the SPAR Grand Prix Series, also makes a welcome return to the Johannesburg race.

Another athlete to watch is Tuks AC’s rising star Karabo Mailula, currently third in the standings. Fresh off victory in the Absa Run Your City Joburg 10K, Mailula will be eager to cement her podium place in the overall series.

Adding further intrigue, Mailula and Xaba will be running alongside their mentor and coach, none other than Caster Semenya, whose presence on the start line always draws huge cheers from the thousands of women taking part.