ATHLETICS MEDIA RELEASE
SATURDAY, 01 AUGUST 2026
GLENROSE XABA BREAKS COURSE RECORD TO WIN SPAR GRAND PRIX RACE IN TSHWANE
SuperSport Park, Centurion, Tshwane, South Africa: Defending series champion Glenrose Xaba picked up her first win of the 2026 SPAR Grand Prix series, coasting to an impressive victory at the third leg of the campaign in Tshwane on Saturday, 1 August.
Xaba, who took second place at the opening leg of the series in Cape Town and missed the second race in Durban due to international commitments, produced a dominant performance in Centurion in the colours of Boxer Athletics Club.
Ethiopian athlete Selam Gebre (Nedbank Running Club) stuck to her like a shadow throughout the first half, but Xaba slammed down the hammer shortly after the 5km mark and opened a massive gap to cross the finish line at SuperSport Park in 32:28. She took one second off the course record of 32:29 which was set by Namibian athlete Helalia Johannes in 2022.
Gaba ran negative splits with a storming finish, completing the second half 31 seconds faster than the first half.
“I’m training for the half-marathon at the World Road Running Championships (in Copenhagen in September), and the race went according to plan,” Xaba said.
“Coming into the race, my strategy was to run very fast to get bonus points, and I was very happy to be back in Tshwane and running the SPAR race in Durban. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.”
Behind Xaba, Gebre held on to take second place in 34:10, and Kyla Jacobs (Boxer) launched a powerful kick in the closing stages to claim third position in 34:21, with both athletes securing their second podium finishes of the series and picking up bonus points for dipping under 34:40.
While Gebre was pleased with her result, she admitted she had struggled with the high altitude, as well as the traditional late starting time of the Tshwane race, which was held in the afternoon.
“The race today was very tough and intense, if I’m honest. The start time was different to what we’re used to, and the elevation kind of caught up with me and I couldn’t breathe at certain points. So, it was tough, but I had to push myself as best I could and I’m glad I came second,” Gebre said.
Jacobs said she preferred the later start, and the Cape Town-based athlete was delighted with her performance.
“It’s always great to be here for the Tshwane race because this is actually where my running career started, so I’m really proud and happy to be on the podium today,” Jacobs said.
“It was a great race. I tried to run conservatively and was able to just pick the field up from the back, so I was happy with how I executed it.”
Among other highlights at the women’s 10km race, which attracted 18 000 sold out entries, iconic athlete Blanche Moila (Savages Athletic Club) completed her 100th SPAR Women’s Challenge event.
Moila, a former national champion over a wide range of distances, took second position in the 70+ age group in 58:16, becoming the fifth woman to run 100 SPAR races.
Two former Comrades Marathon champions, Charne Bosman (Tuks Athletics Club) and Frances van Blerk (Nedbank Running Club), won their age categories.
Bosman triumphed in the 50-59 division in 40:42 and Van Blerk earned victory among the 70+ athletes in 56:18.
The other age group winners on the day were Mpho Katiso (Tshwane University of Technology), who won the U20 race in 36:52, Este van Tonder (Nedbank), who won the 40-49 race in 39:00, and Judy Bird (Boxer) who won the 60-69 race in 44:23.
Zelda Botha (Run Walk for Life), who represented South Africa at the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships in Brasilia earlier this year, was the first walker to finish in 52:38.
One lucky prize winner of a new Hyundai EXTER vehicle valued at R269 000 was drawn from 18 000 participants after the race and the lucky winner was Reneilwe Biloane who received her keys for the EXTER from Hyundai Centurion Dealer Principal, Dean Turnbull.
Ends.
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Race 2: The start of the 2026 SPAR Women’s Challenge Tshwane, the third leg of the 10km SPAR Grand Prix series held on Saturday 1 August at Supersport Park in Centurion. A sold out 18 000 participants took part.
Race 3: Race winner Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) leads Ethiopian, Salem Gebre (Nedbank) at the 5km mark of the 2026 SPAR Women’s Challenge Tshwane, the third leg of the 10km SPAR Grand Prix series held on Saturday 1 August at Supersport Park in Centurion. Xaba won the race in a course record of 32:28.
Race 1: The top three finishers of the 2026 SPAR Women’s Challenge Tshwane, the third leg of the 10km SPAR Grand Prix series held on Saturday 1 August at Supersport Park in Centurion are from left second placed Salem Gebre (Nedbank) of Ethiopia, race winner Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) and third placed Kyla Jacobs (Boxer).
Hyundai Prize: The lucky prize winner of a new Hyundai EXTER vehicle valued at R269 000 was Reneilwe Biloane. Biloane was drawn from 18 000 participants in the 2026 SPAR Women’s Challenge Tshwane, held on Saturday 1 August at Supersport Park in Centurion. Hyundai Centurion Dealer Principal, Dean Turnbull handed over the keys to Biloane.
Blanche Moila: Legendary South African road runner Blanche Moila ran her 100th SPAR Women’s Challenge on Saturday 1 August at Supersport Park in Centurion, Tshwane. Seventy-year-old Moila was welcomed over the finish line by SPAR North Rand Marketing Director Justin Julius.
Glenrose Xaba: Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) won the 2026 SPAR Women’s Challenge Tshwane on Saturday 1 August at Supersport Park in Centurion. Xaba the defending SPAR Grand Prix champion, won the 10km race in a course record of 32:28.
Glenrose Xaba finish: Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) wins the 2026 SPAR Women’s Challenge Tshwane on Saturday 1 August at Supersport Park in Centurion. Xaba the defending SPAR Grand Prix champion, won the 10km race in a course record of 32:28.
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