Johannesburg’s running community is gearing up for a fast and fiercely competitive morning when the Boxer Super Runbrings its 5km spectacle to Emmarentia on Sunday, 15 November, with Modupe Tladi and Kyla Jacobs among the athletes hoping to steal the spotlight.
Both runners will make their Boxer Super Run Joburg debuts, with Tladi eyeing a top-three finish on home soil and Jacobs determined to improve on her previous podium performance in Durban.
Tladi, who representsBoxer Athletics Club and hails from Bramley, arrives in impressive form after winning the men’s 5km road race at the Region 5 Marathon in Tshwane during the first weekend of November.
His winning time of 13:53 put him ahead of Musawenkosi Mnisi and Zenzile Pheko, giving him a timely confidence boost ahead of Sunday’s elite showdown.
The Johannesburg runner is particularly enthusiastic about the prospect of a challenging course.
“I think the Boxer Super Run is a good event that will really suit me if there are hills. My goal in Joburg is to finish in the top three, with my ultimate goal being to become one of the best at the Boxer Super Run,” says Tladi.
Modupi Tladi by Cecilia van Bers
The 5km specialist will face a strong field, with the elite races expected to produce an intense battle for the men’s and women’s titles.
Jacobs, who travels from Somerset West, will also be looking to make an impression in the Elite Women’s Wave.
The 5km is her favourite distance, and she believes the Boxer Super Run provides an ideal platform for elite athletes to challenge one another while delivering an exciting spectacle for spectators.
“The 5km is my favourite distance, and the Boxer Super Run, irrespective of the city in which it takes place, is always a fun event with amazing support,” says Jacobs.
“I jumped at the opportunity to take part in the Boxer Super Run in Joburg because it gives us the opportunity to race against some of South Africa’s best athletes while pushing each other to faster times.”
Jacobs has already demonstrated her ability to compete for honours, finishing third at the Durban edition. She now has her sights firmly set on climbing higher on the podium.
“To get the most out of yourself over the 5km distance, you need to train smart, listen to your body and stick to your race plan,” she says.
“I finished third at the Boxer Super Run in Durban, so I will be looking to improve on that performance and move up the podium.”
“Modupe Tladi and Kyla Jacobs are both exciting additions to the Boxer Super Run Joburg elite line-up, and it will be interesting to see what they can achieve over the 5km distance,” says Meyer.
“With a strong field expected, we’re looking forward to some exciting racing and another memorable edition of the Boxer Super Run in Johannesburg.”
“Seeing runners like Modupe Tladi and Kyla Jacobs stepping up to compete against some of South Africa’s best is extremely rewarding,” says Pillay.
“The Boxer Super Run is also about creating opportunities for people of all abilities to enjoy running, challenge themselves and be part of an incredible community experience. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Joburg for another fantastic celebration of running.”
The 5km event starts on Orange Road in Emmarentia, with the finish at Marks Park Sports Club.
The Open Wave gets underway at 07:00, followed by the Super Social Waves between 08:00 and 09:30. The Elite Women’s race starts at 09:45, with the Elite Men following at 10:00. A 1km Kids Race completes the programme at 10:30.
Entries are officially sold out, underlining the popularity of an event that combines elite competition with mass participation.
For Tladi, the challenge is to turn recent gold-medal form into a memorable home-city performance. For Jacobs, it is an opportunity to convert a previous podium finish into something even better.
Five kilometres will provide the answer, and neither will have much time to negotiate once the starting gun fires.
November brings Movember, encouraging men to speak more openly about their health, including their mental wellbeing. Both remind us that our ability to perform depends, in part, on how well we look after ourselves.
I recall a mid-winter morning at 5 am, sitting in my lounge in the dark, still in my running kit. I had headed out, but about 500 metres down the road, something in my mind said: stop, turn back. So I did. I came home, sat down and listened to what I was feeling rather than forcing myself to carry on.
I thought about that moment as I prepared for the Kaapsehoop Marathon in early November. October was my peak training month, but also one of the busiest periods in my business calendar, with 2027 budgets, strategy, Board meetings, and our annual Company Day all demanding my attention. It would have been easy to see training as just one more commitment in an already crowded schedule. Yet running is often what helps me manage everything else.
I’ve completed 12 Comrades and 15 Two Oceans marathons, so turning back does not come naturally. But life has taught me that pushing through is not always the answer. Sometimes, we need to be kinder to ourselves, acknowledge how we feel, and trust that difficult periods will pass.
Endurance running has taught me that resilience is about knowing when to push, when to ease off and when to stop. That lesson has shaped how I lead, deal with setbacks, and think about mental health.
The value of stepping away
Being a CEO is an enormous privilege, but it comes with considerable pressure. You are accountable to the Board, must navigate uncertainty, and give your best to your team and other stakeholders. It can be a lonely role, so finding ways to manage the demands and sustain your ability to lead effectively, matters.
For me, running has become one of those ways.
During the week, I usually run alone. Sometimes I have a specific training goal; other times, an easy run gives my mind room to wander.
Weekend runs with my club are different. We spend hours talking, laughing, and sharing our lives. For that time, I am not a CEO, husband, father, son, or brother. I am simply a club mate. There is real value in being part of a group where the conversations move beyond work and where men can talk about things they might otherwise keep to themselves.
I no longer see running as an indulgence or another demand on my time. It replenishes my emotional capacity, and I return with greater patience, perspective, and energy, better able to meet the demands of leadership while remaining present for those dear to me.
Resilience is not simply about pushing through
During Comrades, when you have covered around 60km and still have 30km to go, the finish can feel impossibly far away. You break the distance into manageable pieces: the next landmark, water point, or step. A child’s high-five or encouragement from another runner can lift your spirits.
A difficult patch lasting 20 or 30 minutes can feel endless in a ten-hour race. You learn to focus on what is in front of you rather than becoming overwhelmed by the distance in front of you.
But there is danger in telling people simply to keep going. Runners have died in ultramarathons after pushing beyond what their bodies could safely manage. I’ve withdrawn from races days beforehand because I knew I was not healthy or fit enough. It was deeply disappointing, but it was the right decision.
A principle that captures this balance for me is total commitment, total surrender: commit fully to the goal but accept what is outside your control. Have the courage to change course when circumstances demand it.
Business requires the same discipline: ambitious goals, patience, and the determination to persevere when things get difficult. But sustained pressure, without adequate recovery, eventually takes its toll. Commitment should never mean ignoring warning signs.
Most of the journey should be enjoyable
Many people assume running is supposed to be painful. I think that puts many people off, and beginners who go too hard, too fast for too long understandably end up hating it.
But running should be enjoyable. Most of the time, you should run at a comfortable pace and finish feeling better and more refreshed than when you started. Even with challenging goals, I would say 90% of the time, running should feel easy, comfortable, and fun.
Life is similar. We cannot avoid difficult periods, and sometimes we need to struggle to discover what we are capable of. But struggle should not become our measure of success. The aim is to build a life in which difficult moments are manageable, and the journey remains worthwhile.
Recovery is part of performance
In business, we sometimes celebrate busyness; long hours and the perceived heroism of being constantly available. But busyness is not effectiveness.
Training for a long-distance race is about more than accumulating kilometres. Strength work, sleep, nutrition and recovery contribute to performance. Push too hard for too long, and the body eventually breaks down.
McKinsey’s Bob Sternfels and Daniel Pacthod observe that elite athletes and successful CEOs manage time and energy intentionally, making recovery a priority. Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic and an ultrarunner, has spoken about setting “non-goals”: accepting that some worthwhile things cannot receive your attention because other priorities matter more.
For a CEO, recovery means deliberately creating moments when you are not the CEO, deciding what genuinely matters, making room for reflection and accepting that not every task deserves the same energy. Constant activity crowds out quiet thinking in which connections are made, and better decisions emerge.
It also means noticing when a colleague is struggling. If someone’s performance changes, don’t simply demand more. Have an honest, sensitive conversation and help them work out what they can change, while leaving them with ownership of their responsibilities.
Mental health is a leadership responsibility
Mental health still carries stigma. Whether someone feels safe enough to say, “I’m not okay”, depends on the culture leaders create and the signals we send, sometimes without realising it.
We need to build relationships grounded in genuine care, check in without prying, and listen properly. If people do not feel heard, even necessary feedback is unlikely to land well. Leaders must also recognise they don’t have all the answers. Vulnerability does not mean abandoning responsibility; it means recognising the human being carrying it.
At Healthbridge, much of what we do is focused on helping doctors manage the demands of their practices through technology, making their working lives more manageable and improving their work-life balance. We need to apply that same thinking to our own people, recognising that their mental wellbeing is just as important as the work we ask them to do.
I’ve never forgotten something Adrian Gore said at a Board meeting. He walked in, looking pensive, and told us: “I’ve just realised my biggest responsibility to our shareholders is to look after myself.”
It was a simple but powerful observation. Looking after ourselves is not separate from our responsibility to others. Instead, it makes that responsibility sustainable.
Knowing when to let go One lesson I’m still learning is not to become too attached to the things that define us.
I watched my father, at 89, struggle with the possibility that a slipped disc might mean he would never move freely again. When something we rely on is suddenly taken away, it can feel as though we have lost part of ourselves.
I’ve decided that Comrades 2027 will be my last. Running has given me extraordinary experiences, friendships and confidence, but I don’t want to keep going simply because I cannot imagine letting it go. I’ll find other goals and ways to challenge myself.
On 7 November, I lined up at Kaapsehoop. Whatever the clock said, the journey mattered: the training, the setbacks, the early mornings and the moments when I had to adjust my expectations.
If you’re going through a difficult stretch of your own, remember what running has taught me. It will end; this will pass. Commit to what matters, but do not break yourself trying to prove you can endure everything.
And if it is not passing, say so. Let someone run beside you for a while.
JOHANNESBURG – Four titles, R320 000 in prize money and a legacy that continues to inspire. Glenrose Xaba has reached another remarkable milestone in South African road running, becoming the first athlete to win the SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge Grand Prix four times.
Glenrose Xaba’s name is now firmly etched in the history of South African women’s road running.
The Boxer Athletics Club star enjoyed a memorable payday at Tuesday’s SPAR Grand Prix Awards ceremony at The Venue Nine Yards in Parktown, Johannesburg, after completing a record-breaking 2026 campaign.
Xaba collected R210 000 for winning the overall competition and another R110 000 for finishing as the leading South African, taking her total prize money to an impressive R320 000.
She accumulated 119 points across the five-race series, finishing ahead of Ethiopian Selam Gebre of Nedbank, who secured second place with 114 points and R105 000 in prize money.
Xaba’s teammate Karabo More finished third on 111 points, earning R80 000, together with R75 000 for being the second-placed South African.
Top three- The leading trio of the 2026 SPAR Grand Prix series celebrate their achievements at the annual awards. From left: Karabo More, third in the overall series standings; Glenrose Xaba, the 2026 SPAR Grand Prix champion; and Ethiopia’s Selam Gebre, the series runner-up.Photo Credits: Reg Caldecott
The achievement places Xaba in a league of her own. She first won the SPAR Grand Prix in 2017, before repeating the success in 2024, 2025 and 2026. Rene Kalmer, Irvette van Zyl and Ethiopian Tadu Nare have each won the competition three times.
For Xaba, however, the latest title carries special significance because of the example it sets for young athletes aspiring to follow in her footsteps.
“I want to inspire young runners. I want them to think, if Glenrose can do it, so can I,” she said.
She paid tribute to her coach and mentor, Violet, Caster Semenya and her grandmother, who was present at the Johannesburg race to witness her granddaughter make history.
A season of exciting competition
The 2026 series, which celebrated its 19th anniversary, delivered plenty of memorable racing and an exciting contest between Xaba andHollywood Athletics Club’s Tayla Kavanagh.
One of the standout moments came in Cape Town in March, when Kavanagh produced a perfectly timed finishing burst over the final 500m to pip Xaba to victory.
The result added a new dimension to the series and demonstrated the competitive depth of the women’s field.
Their battles in Tshwane and Gqeberha had already produced exciting racing, with Kavanagh consistently challenging Xaba’s pace and determination.
The Cape Town finish generated plenty of discussion, with both athletes displaying the emotion and competitive spirit that make athletics such a compelling sport.
Former Grand Prix champion Van Zyl, who finished eighth overall this year, praised Xaba’s contribution to the development of women’s road running.
“We are all doing better because of Glenrose,” she said.
“Standards are higher and there is greater competition.”
Boxer dominates club competition
Boxer Athletics Clubalso enjoyed an outstanding series, winning the club competition with 872 points. Nedbank finished second with 337 points, followed by Hollywood with 253.
Boxer Athletics Club manager Rhyn Swanepoel (left) with club athlete and 2026 SPAR Grand Prix champion Glenrose Xaba at the 2026 SPAR Grand Prix Awards, held at The Venue, Nine Yards, in Johannesburg on Tuesday, 10 November 2026. Boxer Athletics Club received the Club of the Year award. Photo Credits: Reg Caldecott
The age-category winners were Mpho Katiso (junior), Este van Tonder (40-49), Elizabeth Potter (50-59) and Judy Bird (60-plus).
Bird produced another exceptional campaign, collecting 40 points and earning bonus points at every race. Each age-category winner received R11 000.
More than running
The SPAR Grand Prix continues to play an important role in promoting women’s participation in athletics while using its national platform to highlight issues affecting women and girls.
Across five cities, the series has supported campaigns against gender-based violence and period poverty.
SPAR Group Head of PR, Sponsorship and Communications Mpudi Maubane confirmed that the company would continue sponsoring the awards next year, with preparations for the 2027 series already underway.
Mpudi Maubane SPAR Group Head PR, Communications and Sponsorships Manager, Glenrose Xaba 2026 SPAR Grand Prix champion and Jean Verster Acting President Athletics South Africa.Photo Credits: Reg Caldecott
“Today, we celebrate history. We celebrate excellence. We celebrate her,” Maubane said.
She emphasised that empowering women extended beyond sporting achievements.
“Our ambition is not simply to see women cross finish lines, but to help create a society where every woman and girl can pursue her dreams without fear, barriers and limitations.”
Newly elected Athletics South Africa Acting President Jean Verster also acknowledged SPAR’s longstanding contribution to women’s running.
“To SPAR, thank you for 36 years of believing in women, investing in their potential and providing a platform where their achievements can be celebrated.”
There was further excitement for participants, with five lucky entrants, one at each race, winning Hyundai EXTER vehicles valued at R269 900 each. Hyundai has supported the series for three years.
As the 2026 SPAR Grand Prix draws to a close, Xaba’s achievement provides another powerful reminder of what dedication, discipline and perseverance can accomplish.
Four titles, a record payday and an inspiring message to the next generation.
For South African women’s road running, Glenrose Xaba continues to set the pace.
Ann Ashworth named Race Director and Southpaw appointed exclusive commercial rights partner
Cape100 has announced the appointment of former Comrades Marathon champion and former Comrades Marathon Association Race and Operations Manager Ann Ashworth as its Race & Operations Director, alongside specialist sports and culture agency Southpaw as its commercial rights partner as the event gears up for its first edition on 5 September 2027.
Ashworth brings a rare mix of experience to the role. A seasoned ultra-distance runner and 2018 Comrades Marathon winner, she has also worked on the administrative side of the sport, serving as the Race and Operations Manager of the Comrades Marathon Association in 2024 and currently as a legal advisor and elite athlete liaison to the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon. Away from the road, she holds a Master of Laws from the London School of Economics and Political Science, is an admitted advocate and a qualified running coach, and has spent years developing elite women’s ultra-distance runners.
Cape100 founder Ruan Eygelaar said: “When we sat down to decide who should take charge of the race itself, Ann was the first name on the list. Her experience as both a runner and administrator gives her a unique understanding of what it takes to deliver a world-class event of this scale. Her experience adds invaluable operational depth to the team and strengthens our ability to deliver that standard from year one. We’re delighted to have her on board.”
Ashworth said: “As a runner, a coach and, more recently, an event organiser, ensuring that an event offers both participants and spectators the best possible experience, from event entry to registration to crossing the finishing line, irrespective of your age, gender or average pace is my absolute priority. We want to be able to host an event deserving of international acclaim and capable of attracting elite and recreational athletes from all over the world. The Winelands give us a setting that sells itself – pristine infrastructure, spectacular views and a welcoming community only too willing to become involved in the event. My job is to ensure that every participant and spectator is able to make the most of their experience in the beautiful Cape and to deliver a safe, fair and seamlessly managed event. I am so looking forward to being part of the event from the outset – it is an incredible opportunity.”
Alongside Ashworth’s appointment, Cape100 has appointed Southpaw, a specialist sports marketing agency, as its exclusive commercial rights partner. With experience spanning major international sporting properties and leading brands, including Betway, LIV Golf, Icons Series,
Auto & General and NTT DATA, Southpaw brings an established track record in sports marketing, strategic partnerships and commercial development. Southpaw will lead sponsorship, media rights and the event’s wider commercial programme.
Kieren Jacobsen, founder and CEO of Southpaw, said: “It is not often South African sport gets a brand new mass-participation event with a destination like this, a founder with a clear vision and a race director the running community already trusts. We’ve built a commercial roadmap that matches that ambition. We believe Cape100 can become one of the premier road ultras on the global running calendar.”
On Southpaw, Eygelaar added: “From our first engagement, Southpaw has shown an in-depth understanding of the commercial landscape and a clear plan to build a sustainable commercial model that matches our growth plans for Cape100.”
About Cape100
Cape100 is a new 100 km point-to-point road ultramarathon taking place in South Africa’s Western Cape, with its inaugural edition scheduled for Sunday, 5 September 2027.
Founded by Ruan Eygelaar, the race will take athletes on a spectacular journey from Hermanus, globally recognised as the land-based whale-watching capital of the world, along the scenic Whale Coast and through the Cape Winelands towards Stellenbosch. Situated approximately 30 minutes from Cape Town, Stellenbosch is South Africa’s second-oldest town and an internationally celebrated destination for wine, gastronomy, art and heritage. The race will finish at the historic Blaauwklippen Wine Estate, one of South Africa’s oldest wine estates.
Created with the ambition of becoming one of the world’s premier 100 km road ultramarathons, Cape100 brings together elite competition, mass participation and a distinctive destination experience.
Built around the philosophy One Number. Infinite Stories™, Cape100 aims to establish a lasting connection with its athletes through permanent race numbers and a Founding Member legacy programme recognising those who start its inaugural edition.
Entries are open now. Visit cape100.comfor more information.
Precious Mashele is preparing for a battle of experience against youth when he lines up alongsideBoxer Athletics Club teammate Cacisile Sosibo at the Boxer Super Run Joburg on Sunday, 15 November.
The experienced distance runner hopes his marathon training will provide the endurance needed to tackle a fast, competitive 5km field, with the challenging Emmarentia route adding another dimension to the contest.
Mashele, who is preparing for the Cape Town Marathon, is particularly excited by the opportunity to compete in a 5km event offering prize money for elite athletes.
“I am excited to compete in the event because there are so few 5km road races that offer prize money for elite athletes,” he says.
The former campaigner knows the younger athletes will have speed on their side, but believes his growing endurance could prove valuable when the race reaches its decisive stages.
“The route has hills, and I hope my strength on the climbs will give me a chance against the younger guys,” he says.
With a strong South African field expected, Mashele has set himself a realistic target.
“As an old soldier, I would be very pleased if I managed to achieve a top-ten finish against the young guns.”
Cacisile Sosibo in action at the Boxer Super Run Durban. PHOTO CREDIT: Anthony Grote
She believes the event’s appeal lies in its ability to bring elite competitors and recreational runners together, reflecting the growing popularity of road running in Johannesburg.
“My goal is to run smart, have a controlled start, a strong middle and a fast finish,” Sosibo says.
“With 5km racing, you need speed, but also patience.”
The women’s race will provide an opportunity for Sosibo to test herself against a strong field, with the athlete targeting a competitive finish.
“The route in Joburg is exciting, with great crowd support,” she says. “With such a strong field and a great prize purse, my goal is to be competitive and fight for a top position.”
Stillwater Sports managing director Michael Meyer believes the presence of athletes of their calibre will add considerable interest to the event.
Boxer Superstores head of marketing Lee-Ann Pillay also highlighted the supermarket group’s commitment to supporting athletics and encouraging healthier, more active lifestyles.
The 5km event starts on Orange Road in Emmarentia, with the finish at Marks Park Sports Club.
The open wave gets under way at 07:00, followed by the Super Social waves between 08:00 and 09:30. The elite women start at 09:45, the elite men at 10:00, and the 1km children’s race at 10:30.
For Mashele, the challenge is to make experience count against youthful speed. For Sosibo, it is an opportunity to announce herself on the Joburg stage.
Five kilometres may be a short distance, but with this calibre of competition, there will be nowhere to hide.
The Boxer Athletics Club runners will headline the elite action at the sold-out 5km event in Johannesburg on Sunday, 15 November.
Elroy Gelant and Carina Swiegers are looking forward to testing themselves against a competitive field when the Boxer Super Run returns to Johannesburg on Sunday, 15 November.
The Boxer Athletics Club pair will tackle the 5km course, which starts on Orange Road in Emmarentia and finishes at Marks Park Sports Club.
Gelant, who is based in Potchefstroom, believes the short distance demands speed, sound tactics and careful pacing.
“The Boxer Super Run is a fantastic event for South African road running,” says Gelant. “The 5km format makes it very exciting because there is nowhere to hide; you need to be ready from the start and you have to race intelligently. I also really enjoy the atmosphere around the event and the way it brings elite athletes and recreational runners together.”
The experienced distance runner welcomes the opportunity to compete over different distances and use the 5km to assess his speed and racing form.
“I enjoy challenging myself over different distances,” he says. “The 5km is a great opportunity to test my speed and racing ability. It is a very tactical distance because it is short enough to require a high level of speed, but long enough that you can pay a big price if you get the pacing wrong. The key for me will be to race the athletes around me, stay focused and make sure I still have something left for the final kilometre.”
Swiegers, who lives in Pretoria, also regards the event as a highlight of her racing calendar. She expects the hilly route to test the field and hopes to finish in the top eight or improve her course best.
Carina Swiegers by Action Photo
“It is an amazing event,” says Swiegers. “The vibe is great, the route is challenging, and what I am most excited about is the amazing atmosphere and all the great elite athletes competing.”
She plans to build her pace as the race progresses.
“My plan is to start conservatively and build up the pace towards the end. It is a challenging route with a few hills, which I enjoy, so I hope my strength will pull through. My goal is to finish in the top eight or run a course PB.”
Michael Meyer, managing director of Stillwater Sports, said the event’s inclusive format continues to attract runners across different levels of ability.
“We’re looking forward to bringing the Boxer Super Run back to Johannesburg on Sunday, 15 November. The event offers a unique combination of competitive racing and a fun, inclusive atmosphere, with the 5km distance appealing to everyone from elite athletes to social runners and first-time participants. The Joburg route presents an exciting challenge, and we look forward to seeing athletes like Elroy Gelant and Carina Swiegers make the most of the opportunity, test themselves against the course and enjoy everything the Boxer Super Run has to offer.”
“At Boxer Superstores, we’re proud to support an event that brings people together through a shared love of running and an active lifestyle. The Boxer Super Run is about more than the finish time; it’s about the atmosphere, the sense of community and the opportunity for everyone to be part of something special. We’re excited to welcome runners, families and supporters to Joburg and look forward to another memorable day.”
The open wave starts at 07:00, followed by the Super Social Wave between 08:00 and 09:30. The elite women’s race begins at 09:45, with the elite men starting at 10:00. A 1km children’s race is scheduled for 10:30.
Entries for the Johannesburg event are sold out, with runners set to receive a performance T-shirt, goodie bag, race number and timing chip, and a finisher’s medal.
The focus will be on Gelant and Swiegers as they take on the course and pursue their respective goals over a distance where every kilometre can shape the outcome.
Race schedule
07:00: Open Wave
08:00–09:30: Super Social Wave
09:45: Elite women
10:00: Elite men
10:30: 1km kids’ race
Entries: SOLD OUT
Entry package includes a performance T-shirt, goodie bag, race number and timing chip, on-route experience and finisher’s medal.
Gerda Steyn returned to the City of Roses for her first competitive race in Bloemfontein with a message that could outlast any finish-line clock: believe in your dreams, work hard and never rule yourself out.
The ultra-distance specialist, a five-time Comrades Marathon champion and seven-time Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon ultra winner, found herself back in the city of her birth for Sunday’s inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K, where 5,000 participants turned the streets into a rolling celebration of road running.
Steyn grew up in Bothaville and studied at the University of the Free State. Her homecoming carried a personal significance, and she used it to encourage the next generation to dream big.
“If I think back to the years I lived here in Bloemfontein, nobody would have imagined that Gerda would become a professional athlete, win the Comrades or become an Olympic athlete,” she said.
“Never think it cannot be you. You can achieve something if you work hard for it and believe in your dreams. You can accomplish great things if you are prepared to put in the hard work every day.”
Known for conquering ultra-distance challenges, Steyn also showed her versatility over 10km, finishing sixth overall in the women’s race in 35:01 as the second South African behind winner Glenrose Xaba.
The Boxer Athletics Club star claimed her first Absa RUN YOUR CITY Seriesvictory of the season in 32:10. Kenya’s Jackline Rotich was second in 32:15, with Lesotho’s Neheng Khatala third in 32:19 after winning the Hollywoodbets Joburg 10K the previous week.
“I’m very excited to win Absa. I’m glad that I’m able to be the one crossing the line,” Xaba said.
The course served up a stern test around the seven-kilometre mark, where a climb demanded both strength and tactical discipline. Xaba had inspected the route the previous day and was prepared for the challenge.
She also stressed the importance of bringing elite athletes closer to young fans, giving children the chance to meet their role models and picture themselves lining up in future races.
In the men’s race, Kenya’s Felix Masai Kibet, winner of the 2026 Two Oceans Half-Marathon, set the pace and held firm to win in 28:14.
“I enjoy racing in South Africa, just like Two Oceans Half-Marathon earlier this year. It went well again today,” he said. “I felt good. There was no competition from start to finish. The course was quite fast, with a hill with two kilometres to go.”
South Africa’s Kabelo Mulaudzi finished second in 28:43, followed by teammate Zenzile Pheko in 28:54.
Mulaudzi admitted he had left his challenge too late after allowing Masai Kibet to dictate the early pace. “Filex started fast. We thought we would catch him. But by the time we started to close the gap it was too late. I’m happy with today because I’ve been struggling with injury this year. The race was good. It’s just that I closed the gap too late,” he said.
The Mangaung race added Bloemfontein to the six-event series, which drew about 60,000 participants across its events. The Cape Town race was cancelled because of adverse weather.
For Steyn, the day’s lasting legacy may have been the reminder that every champion starts somewhere, and sometimes the most powerful finish is the one that inspires someone else to begin.
Kenyan distance runner Felix Masai Kibet is targeting a personal best at Sunday’s inauguralAbsa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K, but South African Kabelo Mulaudzi has warned his rivals they will have to work hard to deny him victory in Bloemfontein.
The race, scheduled for Sunday, 25 October 2026, promises a compelling contest over 10km, with Masai chasing a fast time, Mulaudzi pursuing another series victory and Glenrose Xaba targeting a personal best in the women’s race.
Masai, who owns a 27:19 personal best and led a Kenyan podium sweep at the Totalsports TWO OCEANS HALF MARATHON in April, outlined his ambitions at Friday’s official race press conference alongside four-time Olympian Stephen Mokoka and Mulaudzi.
“I want to run a PB on Sunday,” said Masai.
The Kenyan’s challenge will be complicated by the presence of Mulaudzi, one of the most successful athletes in the Absa RUN YOUR CITYSeries in recent seasons.
Mulaudzi is chasing an eighth series victory after winning twice in 2023, claiming four victories last year and triumphing at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K last month.
His credentials include a 27:41 personal best, set while winning the 2025 Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K.
“I’m feeling very good and I’m ready for Sunday. The competition is tough, but I will try my best. The field will have to work hard to win,” said Mulaudzi.
The men’s contest will test whether Masai can convert his ambitions into a fast performance against a South African rival who has repeatedly delivered on the series circuit.
Xaba eyes personal best
Glenrose Xaba Photo: Pule Mogorosi
Xaba heads into the women’s race in strong form after winning the Boxer Super Run 5K in Durban on 18 October and becoming the first athlete to secure four SPAR Women’s Grand Prix Series titles.
The South African came within striking distance of her 31:12 personal best at last month’s SPAR Women’s Challenge in Gqeberha, clocking 31:16.
A flat, fast course in Mangaung could provide the opportunity she needs to improve that mark.
“I heard the course is flat and fast, and I’m looking forward to giving my best as I always do. I’m in good form and hoping to have a great race. I came close to my PB in Gqeberha, so I would be happy to set a new PB on Sunday,” said Xaba.
Lesotho’s Neheng Khatala will also arrive with confidence after winning the Hollywoodbets Joburg 10K on 18 October.
Khatala will be looking to improve her national record of 32:01, setting up another important test against a competitive women’s field.
A new challenge for Mangaung
Michael Meyer (Stillwater Sports Managing Director & Series Founder), Dirk Mokgele (Regional Segment Head, Absa Group), Glenrose Xaba (South Africa), Mrs Odessa Swarts (Athletics Free State Acting President), Hon Ketso Makume – MEC DEDT (Department of Economic Development and Tourism) and Filex Masai (Kenya). PHOTO CREDIT: Pule Mogorosi
The inaugural event adds Bloemfontein to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series calendar, giving elite athletes another opportunity to chase fast times and compete for honours on South African roads.
With Masai targeting a personal best, Mulaudzi determined to extend his winning record and Xaba eyeing a breakthrough, Sunday’s race will provide an early measure of the course’s potential.
The stopwatch will ultimately decide whether Mangaung delivers the fast times the athletes are seeking.
PROJECT3 closed out the 2026 season in style at the Chicago Marathon and the numbers are wild.
71 PROJECT3 runners finished the race. 26 of them set brand-new personal bests in PUMA’s Sunny Lime kits, powered by the Fast-R NITRO™ Elite 3 or Deviate NITRO™ Elite 4. Fifteen of those athletes improved by more than three minutes and will each walk away with a $3,000 performance bonus. Collectively, the group took a staggering 1 hour 32 minutes and 53 seconds off their previous marathon bests.
Top of the leaderboard
Fastest man: Alejandro Martinez Ambrosio (USA) – 2:17:32 (new PB)
Both take home $3,000 as PROJECT3’s first-place finishers.
The biggest jump of the day belonged to Hannah Bashan (USA). She dropped an insane 11 minutes and 53 seconds to finish in 2:51:51, earning her $6,000 total ($3,000 for the 3+ minute improvement + $3,000 for the largest overall time drop).
Lucas Maher, Lead Marketing of Running Athletes at PUMA, said: “We’re incredibly proud of every athlete who stepped up to race today. This cohort has delivered through every high and low all season, truly embodying what PROJECT3 stands for. We’re thrilled to recognise their relentless dedication and hard work today, and we’ll continue to help sub-elite runners chase their dreams. We can’t wait to kick off next season and reach even greater heights together.”
The bigger picture PROJECT3’s second year wraps with $405,000 in prize money distributed in 2026 (on top of $160,000 in its debut year). Next stop: Mumbai 2027, where 100 athletes will line up ready to chase the next set of PBs.
The Fast-R NITRO™ Elite 3 and Deviate NITRO™ Elite 4 are available now at PUMA.com, PUMA stores, Totalsports and Sportsmans Warehouse.
About PUMA PUMA is one of the world’s leading sports brands, designing, developing and selling footwear, apparel and accessories. Founded in 1948, PUMA helps the world’s best athletes and teams perform at their best with its innovative products. The company distributes its products in over 120 countries, employs more than 20,000 people and is headquartered in
The racing at the Nedbank Gravel Burn is hot, so it’s fitting that the medals and trophies are forged by fire. When all is said and done, when the dust has settled, and when the last embers of the final Burn Camp have been extinguished, the race winners will walk away with dazzling reminders of the intense effort required to succeed at a seven-day gravel race.
This year, the overall prize purse at the Nedbank Gravel Burn sits at $155 000, split evenly between the pro men and pro women. With opportunities to claim overall prize money and stage prize money – and a $2500 prize for the best overall climber – the top men and women riders could potentially enjoy a healthy payday at the conclusion of the 2026 Nedbank Gravel Burn.
“Not only is this an incentive to race with heart and guile for seven days,” says founder Kevin Vermaak, “but it also shows the commitment of the Nedbank Gravel Burn to reward our best riders equally. The top riders are out there, in the wild, throwing everything they can at the race, and the prize money recognises the intensity the men and women bring to the racing.” A further $2500 per winning rider is also on offer in the Toyota Power Climber competition (for the top climber of the week).
For the winners’ medals, the theme of fire, grit, and gold was incorporated by makers MetCon, the largest privately-owned precious metal refinery in South Africa. Only six have been made: gold, silver and bronze for the men’s podium, and the same three for the women.
Manufactured in-house in South Africa from 999.9 fine silver, each medal weighs 180g. First-place medals are plated in gold, second-place medals in rhodium and third-place medals in red gold. MetCon puts the approximate value of each finished medal at R30 000, including manufacturing, with the valuation subject to the daily silver price.
Making the medals took seven stages: design, tooling, casting, plating, polishing, quality control, and packaging. “Every stage was done carefully and with no shortcuts, because seven stages of racing deserve seven stages of craft,” says Grant Crosse of MetCon. “Each medal is presented in a handcrafted wooden box by Donkey Long Tong with a MetCon nameplate, along with a Certificate of Analysis and a story booklet about the full making-of story. The medals are made to be kept for life.”
And it doesn’t stop there. With extreme racing comes true reward at the Nedbank Gravel Burn. The overall Pro Men’s and Pro Women’s champions will receive the Fire Starter, created by South African fire-tool makers Donkey Long Tong in collaboration with MetCon. Each Fire Starter also incorporates a 42g ring of 24-carat gold, with black ceramic inlay tracing the route’s elevation profile.
Deeply rooted in South Africa’s history, gold remains an enduring symbol of worth. Incorporating this precious metal ensures the award carries tangible value alongside its athletic prestige. Victorious riders may choose to retain the piece or cash it in at market rates, which fluctuate over time.
Handmade using titanium, brass, Karoo olienhout and ostrich leather, the Fire Starter is a working piece of art. At the closing ceremony, the two champions will use their trophies to light the ceremonial fire.
After a week of watching each other’s wheels, they can finally get on with the serious business of celebrating. Donkey Long Tong’s involvement also includes a Nedbank Gravel Burn special-edition Jack Sack. The South African company’s handmade leather bag is designed to carry fire and braai tools, keeping the partnership connected to the fireside gatherings that are part of Burn Camp life.
Every age-group winner will also receive a Fire Starter, with a titanium shaft and the same practical purpose. Winning a category earns a trophy that can still be put to work around a fire years later.
For everyone who completes the race, a finisher medal on a hand-woven Xhosa ribbon marks their own journey to Shamwari Private Game Reserve.
Follow the race: information, daily results, stories and highlights at www.gravel-burn.com
Nedbank Gravel Burn is a seven-day, 750km gravel stage race set entirely in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. Starting in the historic Robert Sobukwe Town / Graaff-Reinet, the race journeys deep into remote semi-desert landscapes, with all riders staying together in the purpose-built Burn Camps. The route spans the Great Karoo and concludes in Big 5 territory at Shamwari Private Game Reserve. Designed as a true pro-am experience, Nedbank Gravel Burn brings elite and age-group riders together in a shared journey defined by scale, remoteness and connection.
