By Adnaan Mohamed
The women’s elite field is locked, loaded, and ready to fly as the Boxer Super Run makes its high-altitude Joburg debut at Marks Park Sports Club on Sunday, 9 November 2025.
With the R147 200 prize purse up for grabs, the women’s race promises to be a fast, fiery showdown on the city’s rolling roads.
Leading the charge is Glenrose Xaba, a two-time champion of the Boxer Super Run (Durban 2023 and Tshwane 2024. She now has her sights set on completing a rare golden hat-trick.
“What I really love about the Boxer Super Run is that it brings great competition and amazing energy wherever it goes,” says Xaba.
“The event is well organised, the atmosphere is electric, and it always feels like a celebration of running.”
Victory in Joburg, she admits, would be more than just another win, it would complete a perfect streak across all three debut host cities.
“Winning in Joburg would complete a special streak. Taking gold at all three debuts would be something I’m really proud of,” she says.
“Each race has its own challenges, so to come out on top again would be a great reward for all the hard work and consistency my team and I have put in.”
Xaba also praised Boxer’s continued investment in the sport.
“The event’s R147K combined prize purse is amazing! It shows that Boxer truly values and invests in athletes. That kind of prize money motivates us to give our absolute best and helps us continue building our careers.”
For Xaba, race day is all about strategy:
“My goal is to run my best race, to stay focused, control my pace, and finish strong. I’ll be aiming for the win, but I also want to execute my race plan well and see how far I can push myself.”
Running stride for stride with her training partner is Karabo More, the Boxer Super Run Durban 2024 champion, who says the Joburg leg is a celebration of local running culture.
“Hosting the race in Joburg is exciting. The city has an incredible running energy,” says More.
“It gives more athletes and fans the chance to be part of the experience and to showcase talent from this region on a bigger stage.”
More believes the R147K purse “is an amazing incentive. It shows how serious and prestigious the event is. My goal is to run strong, stay consistent, and execute my plan with focus, and hopefully chase a personal best.”
Also toeing the elite line is Zanthe Taljaart, eager for her Boxer Super Run debut.
“The 5km distance is fast, exciting, and highly competitive,” says Taljaart.
“It requires both endurance and speed. My goal is to run a strong, consistent race and aim for a sub-17-minute finish.”
Making her comeback from injury, Cian Oldknow sees the race as a vital stepping stone.
“The 5km distance is quite challenging, especially for someone like me who comes from the longer distances,” says Oldknow.
“This race will be a great way to test my fitness, it’s a building block, not a PB chase. I’m just keen to get back on the start line.”
According to Lee-Ann Pillay, Head of Marketing at Boxer Superstores, the women’s elite wave is always a crowd favourite.
“You never quite know what will happen on the day. The elite races almost always end in a nail-biting sprint finish,” says Pillay.
“We encourage all runners to stick around after their events to cheer on the elites and soak up the incredible atmosphere. It’s going to be an exciting day of running and celebration for everyone involved.”
With four of South Africa’s finest women athletes lining up, the Boxer Super Run Joburg is set to deliver a sprint-finish spectacle through the City of Gold where speed, strategy, and heart will decide who breaks the tape first.
Photo Credit: Anthony Grote