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Tayla Kavanagh stuns Glenrose Xaba in dramatic Cape Town SPAR 10km Challenge finish

Adnaan MohamedNewsLeave a Comment on Tayla Kavanagh stuns Glenrose Xaba in dramatic Cape Town SPAR 10km Challenge finish
By Adnaan Mohamed

Tayla Kavanagh delivered a breakthrough performance to win the opening leg of the SPAR Grand Prix series in Cape Town on Sunday, outsprinting defending champion Glenrose Xaba in a gripping finish in Green Point.

The 24-year-old from Hollywood Athletics Club in KwaZulu-Natal clocked a personal best 31:33, timing her charge to perfection over the final 50 metres to edge Xaba by five seconds. It marked a significant statement at the start of the national women’s road running series.

Xaba, a three-time SPAR Grand Prix winner representing Boxer Athletics Club Gauteng North, crossed in 31:38 after a sustained duel with Kavanagh in the closing stages. Her teammate Kayla Jacobs secured third place in 32:16.

Kavanagh executed a measured race, staying within striking distance before lifting the pace in the final kilometre. The contest tightened approaching the last corner, where she committed to a decisive surge.

“No, I knew I was coming into the race in pretty good shape, but I never expected to win the race today,” said Kavanagh.

“I kind of just stuck to my plan, and I felt good in the last 1K. From about 9Ks, I just started to surge a bit. Glenrose came back at me, and I thought, ok let me keep trying. And as we took the last corner, I was like, I still got some gas in the legs, let me try.

“So, I took the risk and I brought it home. I was really happy to get a bit of a gap and to win. I’m super happy.”

Her focus this season has been consistency following a strong 2025 campaign.

“I had a really good year last year. So going into this season, I really wanted to build some consistency again. I was trying to continue that and it’s exactly what I managed to do today, so I’m really happy.”

Behind the leading trio, Karabo More (32:34) and Cacisile Sosibo (32:42) rounded out the top five in a competitive field that set a high standard for the series opener.

Double Olympic 800m gold medallist Caster Semenya (35:44), who coaches Xaba with her wife Violet Semenya finished in a credible 12th place.

Kavanagh’s victory reshapes the early Grand Prix standings and signals a potential shift in the competitive order, with Xaba set to respond as the series progresses.

A record 18000 women took to the streets of the Mother City to participate in perfect weather conditions on a fast, flat circular route that started in Vlei Road at the DHL Stadium and finished at Green Point. Common Fields.

Top 10 Results – SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge (Cape Town)

  1. Tayla Kavanagh – 31:33
  2. Glenrose Xaba – 31:38
  3. Kyla Jacobs – 32:16
  4. Karabo More – 32:34
  5. Cacisile Sosibo – 32:42
  6. Karabo Mailula – 33:28
  7. Irvette van Zyl – 33:43
  8. Zanthe Taljaard – 34:23
  9. Carina Swiegers – 34:47
  10. Elizabeth Hutamo – 35:09
  11. Deanne Launscher – 35:41       
  12. Caster Semenya -35:44

Top three: Tayla Kavanagh (center), Glenrose Xaba (left) andKayla Jacobs (right) finished on the podium at the Spar 10km Challenge in Cape Town on Sunday morning.
Photo Credit: Adnaan Mohamed

Wildschutt defends Gqeberha 10K crown despite challenges

Adnaan MohamedNewsLeave a Comment on Wildschutt defends Gqeberha 10K crown despite challenges
By Adnaan Mohamed

In road running, even the best-laid pacing plans can unravel like a frayed shoelace. On Sunday morning in Nelson Mandela Bay, that is exactly what happened to Adriaan Wildschutt at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K.

What was meant to be a historic charge at the sub-27-minute barrier on African soil turned into a tactical chess match when pacemakers Ryan Mphahlele and Luan Munnik withdrew hours before the start due to illness and injury. With the wind sweeping across the coastal route, the clock became a stubborn rival.

Wildschutt adjusted.

The 27-year-old, born in Ceres and based in the United States, shifted from record hunter to race tactician. With no pace setters and the breeze tugging at every stride, he made his move just before halfway, surging clear of Kenya’s Isaac Kibet Ndiema, the fastest man in the field on paper with a 26:55 personal best.

Wildschutt powered home in 27:47 to defend the title he claimed last year. Ndiema followed in 28:01, with debutant Tshepo Tshite third in 28:09.

Elite Men Isaac Ndiema (KEN), Adriaan Wildschutt (RSA) and Tshepo Tshite (RSA). PHOTO CREDIT: Action Photo

Afterwards, Wildschutt was candid about the curveball that reshaped his race.

“The organization is great, and it has nothing to do with them when pacemakers cancel. It’s not in their control. These were just the circumstances. I was like, there’s no way I’ll run sub-27 alone on a windy day as well. But I gave up a lot of time to be here, so I didn’t want to be a quitter,” he said.

His ambition remains firmly set on cracking 26 minutes on African soil.

“If I have the right training partners, pacemakers and good conditions then it is possible. Absolutely possible! There are few things that I want to experiment with. Hopefully, I’m going to get another opportunity.”

Series founder and Stillwater Sports managing director Michael Meyer praised the adaptability that defines elite runners.

“Initially Adriaan’s goal was to break 27 minutes. Unfortunately, both of the pacers we had secured withdrew at the last minute, one due to illness and the other due to injury. That naturally shifted the race dynamic and Adriaan had to adjust his strategy from chasing the clock to racing for the win.

“That’s the mark of a true professional – he assessed the situation, adapted, and still delivered fantastic racing for everyone out on the course. It’s always an honour to have an athlete of his calibre lining up in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series. He brings intent, professionalism and excitement to every race,” said Meyer.

“Brenda also produced an exceptional performance.”

That performance belonged to Kenya’s Brenda Jepchirchir, who came within touching distance of history in the women’s race.

On debut in “The Friendly City”, Jepchirchir blazed through halfway in 14:49, shadowed by training partner Faith Cherono and paced by local favourite Melikhaya Frans. The wind stiffened over the final five kilometres, yet she drove on to claim victory in 30:15, one second outside the South African All-Comers record set by Christine Njoki last August.

Kenyans Faith Cherono Melikhaya Frans and Brenda Jepchirchir by Anthony Grote

Cherono clocked 30:44 for second, while South Africa’s Glenrose Xaba secured third in 32:13, her fourth podium in her past five series appearances.

“I was looking to run sub 30 minutes but because of the wind in the last 5km it was tough for me,” Jepchirchir said. “But I’m still feeling good and I want to come back to run the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series again in Cape Town in May.”

Meyer underlined the significance of her run.

“Jepchirchir came incredibly close to becoming the first woman to run under 30 minutes on African soil, which speaks volumes about the level of competition we witnessed today. We’d like to extend our sincere thanks to both athletes, all of our elite competitors, every entrant who took part, and our valued sponsors and partners. Their collective contribution is what makes days like this so special and adds to the excitement and success of the event.”

In the end, Gqeberha delivered no record-breaking stopwatch fireworks. It delivered something else: resilience, recalibration and racing of the highest order.

Elite Women Faith Cherono (KEN), Brenda Jepchirchir (KEN) and Glenrose Xaba.  PHOTO CREDIT: Action Photo

RESULTS: 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K

Date: Sunday 01 March 2026

Start & Finish Venue: Beach Road, Humewood, Gqeberha

Start Time: 07:00

ELITE MEN

1 Adriaan Wildschutt (RSA) 27:47, 2 Isaac Ndiema (KEN) 28:01, 3 Tshepo Tshite (RSA) 28:09, 4 Kamohelo Mofolo (LES) 28:25, 5 Zenzile Pheko (RSA) 28:44, 6 Ambrosi Amma (TANZANIA) 28:47, 7 Leonard Pkorir (KEN) 28:52, 8 Stephen Mokoka (RSA) 28:55, 9 Musawenkosi Mnisi (RSA) 29:06, 10 Cwenga Nose (RSA) 29:07

ELITE WOMEN 

1 Brenda Jepchirchir (KEN) 30:15, 2 Faith Cherono (KEN) 30:44, 3 Glenrose Xaba (RSA) 32:13, 4 Neheng Khatala (LES) 32:43, 5 Meselech Gedefaw (ETH) 33:07, 6 Karabo Mailula (RSA) 33:20, 7 Nthabiseng Letokoto (LES) 33:26, 8 Cacisile Sosibo (RSA) 33:28, 9 Irvette Van Zyl (RSA) 33:57, 10 Agnes Mwaghui (TAN) 34:05