Defending SPAR Grand Prix champion Glenrose Xaba began her quest for a third title on a strong note, clinching victory in the first SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge of the season in Cape Town on Sunday. Her time of 33:13 secured 25 points—20 for the win and an additional five bonus points—putting her in early command of the leaderboard.
Xaba, representing Boxer Athletics Club, is now just one point ahead of Ethiopia’s Salem Gebre (Nedbank), who also picked up five bonus points in a tightly contested race.
Despite the win, Xaba expressed disappointment in her performance, attributing her slower time to a 30-minute delay at the start. “We stood too long at the start and my muscles were very stiff. My body didn’t respond well. But I am happy that I was able to keep my focus and win the race,” she said.
The Cape Town race marked a crucial opening to what promises to be a fiercely competitive Grand Prix season. Xaba is aiming to become only the fourth athlete in history to win the SPAR Grand Prix title three times.
Her training partner, Karabo Mailula, is currently third on the log with 17 points, followed closely by former Grand Prix winner Lebo Phalula with 16. Phalula’s strong showing has also placed her at the top of the 40–49 age group, one point ahead of Australian debutant Olga Firsova, who finished eighth overall.
In the 50–59 division, local runner Anne Stewart of the Atlantic Athletics Club leads, while Judy Bird (Boxer) is ahead in the 60+ category, edging Grace De Oliveira (Maxed Elite) by a single point. Both veterans earned bonus points in Cape Town.
The junior leaderboard is currently led by Boxer’s Wiepke Schoeman, setting the stage for a competitive youth campaign this season.
The next leg of the SPAR Women’s 10km Grand Prix will take place in Durban on Sunday, June 22, where athletes will continue their pursuit of the prestigious title and valuable leaderboard points.
