Motoring
Glenrose Xaba wins SPAR Grand Prix in emphatic style
Glenrose Xaba, a prominent road athlete and cross country runner from Pretoria representing Boxer, secured the SPAR Grand Prix title on Sunday by triumphing in the Johannesburg SPAR 10km Women’s Challenge with a remarkable time of 32:48.
This victory marked Xaba’s fourth win in the SPAR Women’s Challenge series for the year.
Tadu Nare, a three-time SPAR Grand Prix winner from Nedbank, clinched the second position with a time of 34:00, while her Ethiopian teammate Diniya Abaraya finished third in 34:14.
Xaba, Nare, and Abaraya maintained close proximity for the initial six kilometers of the race. Subsequently, Xaba surged ahead and completed the remainder of the race independently. Notably, Xaba became the first South African to claim the SPAR Grand Prix title since international participants were included in 2019 after her earlier victory in 2018.
Following her win, Xaba expressed, “I am very pleased to have emerged victorious in the SPAR Grand Prix once again. Various sacrifices were made to secure this win, including abstaining from attempting Olympic Games qualification. My coaches, Caster and Violet Semenya, enlightened me about the bigger picture.”
Reflecting on the race, Xaba noted the challenging terrain, including several demanding hills. She acknowledged the competitive nature of the event, stating, “I anticipated a fast-paced race today. The level of competition has been commendable.”
Nare commended Xaba’s consistent progress and dedication, remarking, “Glenrose has consistently displayed remarkable athleticism and continues to enhance her performance. Her hard work has paid off, and I am genuinely thrilled for her success.”
Abaraya, who previously claimed victory in the junior category of the SPAR Grand Prix, described this year as both rewarding and demanding, emphasizing the valuable lessons learned from her experienced counterparts. She expressed gratitude for the guidance provided by Tadu and Glenrose while acknowledging her ongoing learning journey.
Gerda Steyn, a seasoned ultra-marathon winner representing Phantane, finished sixth and expressed her enthusiasm for participating in the SPAR Women’s Challenge races. Steyn highlighted the notable improvements in standards over the years, attributing the enhanced competition to the inclusion of international athletes and expressing optimism about emerging talents.
Looking ahead, Xaba is set to participate in the Cape Town Marathon on October 19, with expectations of potentially breaking the national record. However, Xaba emphasized her focus on relishing the marathon experience rather than setting specific performance targets.
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