Glenrose Xaba again showcased her impressive form on Sunday, winning the final leg of the Spar Grand Prix women’s 10km series in Johannesburg.
Xaba, who had already won the Grand Prix title with a race to spare, triumphed in four of the five events this year, becoming the first South African since 2018 to secure the overall series victory.
The 29-year-old national 10km champion tore away from a small lead group with around four kilometres remaining in Emmarentia, cruising to a convincing win in 32:48.
Ethiopian athlete Tadu Nare, who won the previous three editions of the annual series, took second place in 34:00. Nare’s compatriot, junior athlete Diniya Baraya, finished third in 34:14.
“I am very happy and humbled to win the 2024 Spar Grand Prix,” Xaba said.
“I think this shows how hard I’ve been working with my coaches (Violet and Caster Semenya).”
Xaba, in the form of her life, will make her highly anticipated 42km debut at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon later this month.
Results, Spar Grand Prix 10km (Johannesburg)
1 Glenrose Xaba (RSA) 32:48, 2 Tadu Nare (ETH) 34:00, 3 Diniya Abaraya (ETH) 34:14, 4 Blandina Makatisi (LES) 35:01, 5 Millicent Nyaberi (KEN) 35:05, 6 Gerda Steyn (RSA) 35:11, 7 Karabo More (RSA) 35:20, 8 Karabo Mailula (RSA) 35:33, 9 Cacisile Sosibo (RSA) 36:14, 10 Karabo Motsoeneng (RSA) 36:26
* Featured image by Reg Caldecott
