Defending champion Glenrose Xaba delivered a commanding performance on Sunday to clinch her first-ever Durban leg victory of the SPAR Grand Prix women’s 10km road running series, held at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium.
Representing Boxer Athletics Club, Xaba ran a smart and tactical race, sitting behind the leading group during the early stages. Ethiopian contenders Diniya Abaraya and Selam Gebre, both from Nedbank Running Club, set the pace through the 5km mark in 16:04. But it was Xaba who surged ahead just past the 6km point, shaking off her competitors to take full control.
The 29-year-old powered to the finish in 31:54, negative-splitting the second half and extending her overall lead in the 2025 SPAR Grand Prix standings.
“Over the last two weeks I was racing internationally and didn’t have much recovery time, so I’m very happy with this result,” said Xaba, who recently ran a personal best of 15:10.62 in the 5,000m in Paris.
“It’s my first time winning in Durban — I usually come second or finish somewhere in the top 10. So I’m really blessed and excited about today’s performance.”
Teen talent Abaraya, only 19 and in her debut senior season, secured second place in 32:09, while compatriot Gebre finished third in 32:25, despite struggling with a severe headache in the latter stages of the race.
“The conditions were great, and we pushed each other. Congratulations to Glenrose on her win,” said Abaraya.
Gebre collapsed after crossing the line but was grateful to complete the race and podium despite not feeling well.
The race saw a tightly contested top five, all clocking under 33 minutes. Neheng Khatala of Lesotho took fourth in 32:31, followed by Tayla Kavanagh of Hollywood Athletics Club, just one second behind in 32:32.
The 2025 SPAR Women’s Challenge Durban also drew a sell-out crowd of 12,000 participants, with one lucky runner, Rosheni Reddy, winning a brand-new Hyundai Exter through a participant draw.
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