Glenrose Xaba blows field away again to clinch maiden Durban SPAR Women's 10km Challenge
Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) won her career first SPAR Women's 10km Challenge Durban race on Sunday at Kings Park Stadium in a time of 31:54.
Image: Darren Stewart / Gallo Images
Glenrose Xaba was in imperious form once again as the Boxer Athletics Club runner stormed to victory in the Durban leg of the SPAR Women's 10km Challenge on a sunny but chilly Sunday morning, in a time of 31:54.
Ethiopian 19-year-old Diniya Abaraya did well to finish second (32:09) while her compatriot (Nedbank Running Club) Selam Gebre finished third (32:31). Hollywood Athletics Club runners Neheng Khatala (32:31) and local favourite Tayla Kavanagh (32:32) finished fourth and fifth.
The top five women all dipped under 33 minutes in a fast race.
Gebre had pushed defending Grand Prix series winner Xaba hard in the opening leg in Cape Town, and it looked like that would be the case again after a typically fast start by the Boxer runner.
Xaba and the Ethiopian duo broke clear of the early pacesetters after 2km and the South African seemed prepared to bide her time, looking comfortable tucked just behind the Nedbank runners.
Glenrose Xaba leading at the 7km mark of the Durban leg of the SPAR Women's 10km Challenge on Sunday.
Image: Darren Stewart / Gallo Images
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad Loading
However, the South African road and track star hit the front near the 4km mark as the gap to the chasing pack widened.
When Xaba decided to kick near the 7km mark, the Ethiopians were unable to respond, with Gabre visibly struggling as she dropped further back. Abaraya's challenge was also fading fast.
Xaba didn't take her foot off the accelerator in the closing stages as she breasted the tape at the finish at the Kings Park Rugby Stadium outer fields well clear of her rivals on the out-in course.
The runner, who is coached and mentored by former Olympic 800m star Caster Semenya, is looking invincible after staking an early claim for a potential series repeat.
"My race today was okay from the beginning because I was planning to go with them (Gebre and Abaraya) for about 4km because the last two weeks I was racing internationally and never got so much recovery time," she said at the post-match media conference.
"I'm very happy with the time that I ran today. It's a blessing to win the Durban leg of the series because I've never won it. I was always number two or three, or further back in the top 10."
The top three finishers of the SPAR Women's 10km Challenge Durban on Sunday at Kings Park Stadium are, from left, second-placed Ethiopian Diniya Abaraya (Nedbank), race winner Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) and third-placed Selam Gebre (Nedbank) of Ethiopia.
Image: Darren Stewart / Gallo Images
"It was wonderful weather, good conditions," Abaraya said. "We pushed one another and I'm happy with the result and I want to congratulate Glenrose for this great achievement."
Gebre had looked spent at the finish, collapsing after crossing the line.
"I was feeling a bit under the weather. I had a severe headache and I couldn't control myself but I had to push myself and see how far I could go," she explained. "And I managed to finish third, so it's a bonus for me and I'm very happy with the result."
The evergreen Lebo Phalula also braved illness to win the veteran (40-49) age category in a time of 36:19.
"Today was not a good day at the office," she admitted afterwards. "Coming back from swine flu, my body couldn't respond very well because I was very sick the last two weeks."
The Boxer Athletics Cub veteran said she had considered quitting at the 5km mark but decided to soldier on.
Meanwhile, rising 21-year-old star Zanthe Taljaard finished in a credible eighth place in a time of 34:02, improving on her 10th place finish in the Cape Town leg of the series.
Congrats to the podium finishers at the Durban SPAR Women's Challenge 10km: Left to right: Diniya Abaraya (2nd 32:09), Glenwose Xaba (1st 31:54) and Selam Gebre (3rd 32:25).
Photos by Rogan Ward@SPARGrandPrix #SPARkleAndShine🌟🌟 #SPARWomensChallenge #Twenty20Thrive pic.twitter.com/KMeoScWhYe — SPAR Ladies Race KZN (@SPARLadiesRace) June 22, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
28 minutes ago
- IOL News
South African teen sensation Lhuan-dre Pretorius hits century on Test debut
Lhuan-dre Pretorius has arrived Lhuan-dre Pretorius, seen here in action for the Titans, scored a century on his Test debut for the Proteas in Bulawayo on Saturday. Photo: Nokwanda Zondi/BackpagePix Lhuan-dre Pretorius became the youngest South African to hit a Test century when he reached the mark on debut on the first day of the first Test against Zimbabwe on Saturday. The solidly-built left-hander, aged 19 years and 93 days, batted fearlessly after arriving at the crease with his team in trouble at 23 for three at Queens Sports Club. Pretorius hit a six off the fourth ball he faced, from left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza, then smiled broadly at batting partner Wiaan Mulder.
IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
Justin Snaith chases sixth Durban July winner after Eight On Eighteen drawn promising stall 11
South African champion racehorse trainer Justin Snaith will be in the hunt for his sixth Hollywoodbets Durban July winner. | RACE COAST As South Africa's champion trainer, Justin Snaith, chases his sixth July win, one of his entries Eight On Eighteen, has secured a promising stall eleven draw, something that could significantly influence the horse's chances of claiming victory in this prestigious event. Eight On Eighteen, the Drakenstein-bred son of the late War Front champion, Lancaster Bomber, features prominently in a competitive 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July field of 18 horses for Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, July 5. The anticipation surrounding the Hollywoodbets Durban July is palpable as the big day on Saturday, July 5, draws nearer. Featured prominently among the top contenders is the Justin Snaith-trained Eight On Eighteen, who has secured a promising stall eleven draw—something that could significantly influence the horse's chances of claiming victory in this prestigious event. However, Snaith's other two entries were not as fortunate in the draw. Okavango will have to navigate from stall thirteen, while Native Ruler faces the challenge of the widest barrier, stall eighteen. This year's Durban July will have female representation in the event. Rainbow Lorikeet, trained by Candice Bass-Robinson, is the sole female runner this year, contrasting with last year's notable absence of female competitors. While Eight On Eighteen's draw may seem advantageous, his handler Richard Fourie, who is eyeing a fourth win in this iconic race, must carefully manage the early stages, particularly in avoiding being boxed in among the wide field. In a surprising twist, veteran jockey Andrew Fortune, at the age of 58, could make history if he guides Okavango to victory, potentially becoming the oldest July-winning jockey, surpassing Piere Strydom's record set in 2016. The draw luck varied among other competitors as well. The powerful duo of Royal Victory and See It Again are grappling with tougher positions; Royal Victory will launch from draw 17 while See It Again faces the challenges of draw 15, which is known to be unfavourable for horses that tend to start slowly. Meanwhile, local owner Grant Cornwall expressed satisfaction with his horse Atticus Finch's excellent draw of four. Rainbow Lorikeet's assistant trainer, Terry Fripp, was overjoyed with the ideal draw of seven—a number he cherishes. Both Glen Kotzen and S'Manga Khumalo celebrated the favourable draw of three for On My Honour. Last year's champion, Oriental Charm, elicited cheers for drawing pole position, yet some suggest this may impose a burden of early energy expenditure. Nevertheless, owner Greg Bortz remains optimistic about the draw's potential, especially with the horse's remarkable gate speed. The stakes are high not just for the horses and their connections but also for viewers who relish the excitement of each race, knowing that positions drawn can often dictate fortune on the track. The only uncertainty that remains is how the dynamics of the draw will play out as they thunder down the last furlong.
The South African
3 hours ago
- The South African
Taylor Swift surprises fans with spontaneous performance
Taylor Swift electrified fans in Nashville this week with a surprise performance of her hit Shake It Off . The pop star took to the stage at the Brooklyn Bowl during the Tight Ends & Friends concert. This is an event that is part of the annual Tight End University (TEU) event. The crowd, already buzzing from the star-studded guest list, erupted as Swift made her is a three-day training camp for American football tight ends, co-hosted by Travis Kelce. Taylor Swift's appearance was no accident. She wanted to support Kelce, who has attended many of her shows. A source told the Daily Mail, 'She thought it would be fun to perform. It made sure eyeballs were firmly on the Tight End University that Travis holds very close to his heart, according to the Cosmopolitan. Travis was there at so many of her shows and even took part. She is now repaying the favour.' Kane Brown, the evening's host, introduced Swift as a 'really, really, really special guest.' The crowd's reaction was instant and deafening. Taylor Swift walked on stage, smiled, and asked, 'Theoretically, how loud can we get?' She then dedicated her performance to the tight ends. 'We would like to dedicate this to our favourite players who are going to play and these are the tight ends.' The energy in the room soared as she launched into Shake It Off . This performance marked Swift's first public show since she bought back her master recordings—a significant milestone in her career. It was a night of celebration, not just for American football fans, but for music lovers everywhere. For South African fans, Taylor Swift's gesture resonates. Many local artists, such as Tyla and Vusi Nova, are known for supporting their communities and giving back through impromptu performances and festival appearances. Swift's actions mirror this spirit, showing that even global stars value loyalty and community. The event also highlights the growing crossover between music and sport. With Swift's influence, TEU received global attention, and the story quickly trended on social media. Taylor Swift's surprise appearance was about showing up for someone she cares about and shining a spotlight on a cause close to his heart. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
