ATHLETICS MEDIA RELEASE
TUESDAY, 30 JULY 2024
LOG LEADER GLENROSE XABA AIMING FOR GLORY IN TSHWANE 10KM SPAR GRAND PRIX
Tshwane, South Africa: Log leader Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) will be looking to improve her position on the SPAR Grand Prix ladder when she takes part in the Tshwane SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge at Supersport Park Cricket Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Xaba was narrowly beaten by Ethiopian Tadu Nare (Nedbank) in the Durban leg in June, finishing 0.43 seconds behind the three-times SPAR Grand Prix winner, and will be hoping to go one better against Nare on Saturday,
Xaba will be boosted in her efforts by the knowledge that her coach, Caster Semenya, will be taking part in the race for the first time. Semenya, winner of two gold medals in the 800m at the Olympic Games, has long been a supporter of the SPAR Women’s Challenge series.
Both she and the organisers are delighted by her decision to take part in the Tshwane race.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have Caster join us as a participant this year,” said Retha Ingenbleek, SPAR Women’s Challenge Tshwane Race Organiser. “Her presence will undoubtedly inspire countless women and girls to lace up their running shoes and take on the challenge. She is a true champion and a role model for all.”
Semenya expressed her excitement about participating in the race: “I’ve always admired the SPAR Women’s Challenge for its dedication to empowering women through sport. This is a special moment for me, and I can’t wait to experience the race as a participant. I hope to inspire others to believe in themselves and achieve their goals,” said Semenya.
Although some of the top runners, like Irvette van Zyl, Gerda Steyn and Cian Oldknow, will be missing, as they are representing South Africa at the Olympic Games in Paris, there are still plenty of elite athletes to ensure a highly competitive race.
The Phalula twins, Diana-Lebo and Lebogang, (Boxer) both former SPAR Grand Prix winners, Ethiopian Diniya Abaraya (Nedbank), who is currently second on the log, Cacisile Sosibo (Boxer) who is in third position will be going all out to ensure that Xaba and Nare do not have things all their own way.
Long-time rivals, Boxer teammates and friends, Ronel Thomas and Janene Carey will be making history when they complete 100 SPAR Women’s Challenge races. The two always finish within seconds of one another, so it is fitting they should achieve this milestone together. The only other runners to have achieved this are the great Sonja Laxton and former Comrades Marathon gold medalist Grace de Oliveira.
The runners will follow an interesting route through Centurion, with some challenging hills. With the race starting early afternoon, the weather also could play a part in the race results as normal SPAR Grand Prix starting times are early morning when the weather is cooler. Early afternoon, and with no rain of late the air is dryer. The Tshwane 10km route is the most difficult route of all five SPAR Grand Prix races making up the series mainly due to its challenging climbs with an elevation gain of 126m and a loss of 127m.
The finish is on the SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium field.
The organizers have confirmed a sellout, full house of 15 000 runners for the SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge and 5km Fun Run, which start at 2pm on Saturday.
ENDS.
FREE TO USE PICTURES
Please see attached free to use pictures with caption below.
Glenrose Xaba: Log leader Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) will be looking to improve her position on the SPAR Grand Prix ladder when she takes part in the Tshwane SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge at SuperSport Park on Saturday afternoon 3 August 2024. Photo Credit: Ashley Vlotman / Gallo Images
Tadu Nare: Defending SPAR Grand Prix champion, Tadu Nare (Nedbank) of Ethiopia will be looking to win back-to-back SPAR Grand prix races when she takes part in the Tshwane SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge at SuperSport Park on Saturday afternoon 3 August 2024.
Nare won the second SPAR Grand Prix race of the 2024 season in Durban end of June. Photo Credit: Reg Caldecott
Phalula Twins: The Phalula twins, Diana-Lebo and Lebogang, (Boxer) both former SPAR Grand Prix winners will be amongst the favourites in the Tshwane SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge at SuperSport Park on Saturday afternoon 3 August 2024. Photo Credit: Ashley Vlotman / Gallo Images
Glenrose Xaba and Caster Semenya: Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) left, will be boosted in her efforts by the knowledge that her coach, Olympic Gold Medalist Caster Semenya (right), will be taking part in the Tshwane SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge at SuperSport Park on Saturday afternoon 3 August 2024. Photo Credit: BLD Communications.
