Defending SPAR Grand Prix champion Glenrose Xaba returned to winning ways by breaking the Tshwane course record on Saturday, boosting her title defence with a dominant display over 10km in Centurion.
The Boxer Athletics Club star clocked 32:28 at SuperSport Park to shave one second off the previous course record of 32:29, set by Namibia’s Helalia Johannes in 2022.
It was Xaba’s first victory of the 2026 series after finishing second behind Tayla Kavanagh in Cape Town and missing the Durban leg while competing internationally.
Kavanagh’s absence due to her Commonwealth Games campaign in Glasgow presented an opportunity, and Xaba capitalised with a measured performance.
Ethiopian athlete Selam Gebre stayed with Xaba through the opening half of the race before the South African made her move shortly after the 5km mark. She quickly opened a decisive gap and never looked back.
The performance was underlined by disciplined pacing, with Xaba completing the second half of the race 31 seconds faster than the first.
“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. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.”
Gebre secured second place in 34:10 despite battling the conditions.
“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,” she said.
South Africa’s Kyla Jacobs finished third in 34:21 after a strong closing kilometre. It was her second podium finish of the series, with both Jacobs and Gebre collecting bonus points for running under 34:40.
“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 pick the field up from the back, so I was happy with how I executed it.”
Xaba’s victory throws fresh momentum into the SPAR Grand Prix series as she continues her build-up to the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen later this year.
