ATHLETICS MEDIA RELEASE
THURSDAY, 02 OCTOBER 2025
PLENTY OF EXCITEMENT FOR JOZI SPAR WOMEN’S CHALLENGE ON SUNDAY
- Glenrose Xaba going for a clean sweep five victories
- Gerda Steyn confirmed to run the Jozi SPAR Women’s Challenge
Johannesburg: Defending champion Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) has already clinched the SPAR Grand Prix title for 2025, but there is still plenty of interest in the final race in the five-race series – the Jozi SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge – which will be run at Marks Park Sports Club at 8 o’clock on Sunday morning.
A runner’s best four races count towards the SPAR Grand Prix and Xaba will be wanting to show her dominance by registering maximum points. In her first race this year, she earned five bonus points instead of the maximum 10 points, but Sunday’s race gives her the opportunity to earn maximum points.
Xaba said she was excited to be defending her title on Sunday at Marks Park Spots Club “ 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, however, I am aware that the competition will be tough on race day”.
Runners who will be challenging Xaba include the two Nedbank Ethiopians, Selam Gebre and Dinayah Abaraya, as well as Kenyan runners Lobakan Achukwa and Elizabeth Chemweno.
Gerda Steyn, winner of multiple Comrades and Two Oceans ultra marathons, will be using the race to hone her speed and her Hollywood Bets teammate Irvette van Zyl – the last South African to win the SPAR Grand Prix three times – will be making a welcome return to the race. They are both very competitive and capable of challenging for a podium position.
“I love running the Jozi SPAR Women’s Challenge,” said Steyn.
“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.”
Tuks athlete Karabo Mailula, is currently third on the SPAR Grand Prix log and will be wanting to consolidate her position, while Xaba’s coach, Caster Semenya will be a popular figure among the thousands of women lining up for the start of Sunday’s race.
The route for Sunday’s 10km race is a single lap course that starts and finishes at Marks Park. The athletes run through some of Johannesburg’s leafy suburbs like Emmarentia, Greenside, Linden and Parkview. The course is mainly flat to undulating with several steady climbs balanced by long, fast straights that lend themselves to strong pacing. The runners also pass prominent landmarks such as the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens, Jan van Riebeeck Park, and the Melville Koppies, ensuring a scenic yet technically demanding race environment.
The 10km road race and 5km fun run have a sold out 12 000 entries.
End.
SPAR Grand Prix Jozi google information hub link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WuaXpisexUWlUJ3obo-mbuy1gzhZUKop?usp=drive_link
FREE TO USE PICTURES WITH CAPTIONS
Gerda Steyn1- The Queen of ultramarathons Gerda Steyn (Hollywood RC) has confirmed her entry for the 2025 Jozi SPAR Women’s Challenge to take place on Sunday, 05 October 2025 at Marks Park Sports Club.
Gerda Steyn2- The Queen of ultramarathons Gerda Steyn (Hollywood RC) has confirmed her entry for the 2025 Jozi SPAR Women’s Challenge to take place on Sunday, 05 October 2025 at Marks Park Sports Club.
Glenrose Xaba- Glenrose Xaba (Boxer RC) will be looking to complete a clean sweep of 2025 SPAR Grand Prix races when she defends her title at the Jozi SPAR Women’s Challenge to be held at Marks Park Sports Club. on Sunday, 05 October 2025.
Photo credit- Reg Caldecott/ Gallo Images
