TheAbsa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES Cape Town 10Kis shaping into a race that could leave scorch marks on the Mother City’s streets this weekend, with elite athletes targeting fast times, national bragging rights and a slice of history.
The women’s race has emerged as the main attraction with the elusive sub-30 minute barrier firmly in sight for the first time on South African soil.
Kenya’s Faith Cherono enters as the quickest athlete in the field with a personal best of 30:06 and is expected to drive an aggressive pace from the opening kilometre. Fellow Kenyan Jackline Rotich also arrives with proven pedigree and should add further pressure at the front.
South African attention, though, will centre on Glenrose Xaba and Tayla Kavanaghin a contest carrying the feel of a championship prize fight.
Xaba has become the country’s dominant road runner in recent seasons, producing performances as smooth and relentless as a train gathering speed downhill. Kavanagh has rapidly climbed the ranks and continues to show the fearless racing instincts needed to survive a brutal pace on a fast course.
“Cape Town is known for quick times and strong competition,” said Xaba. “When the field moves hard from the start, everyone gets pulled into the race.”
Kavanagh believes the race could deliver something special.
“A sub-30 has been hanging in the air for years,” she said. “This field has the athletes capable of chasing that mark.”
The men’s race also carries serious firepower.
Kenyan speedster Felix Kibet Masai leads the entries with a lightning-fast 27:24 personal best and will start among the favourites alongside South African veteran Stephen Mokoka, whose experience and tactical awareness remain among the sharpest in the domestic road running scene.
Kabelo Mulaudzi, Tanzania’s Jummanne Ngoya and a powerful local contingent including Bongelani Mkhwanazi and Chris Mhlanga should ensure the pace remains fierce throughout.
Mokoka expects an uncompromising race from the gun.
“When athletes with these personal bests line up together, the pace naturally becomes aggressive,” he said. “You need to be ready for every move.”
With cool rainy, coastal conditions expected, deep international fields and national stars eager to seize the spotlight, Cape Town’s roads are set to become a high-speed theatre for one of the most anticipated races on the local calendar.
See full list of male and female elite contenders below:
Tayla Kavanaghheads into the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10Kin the kind of form that turns heads, yet the 24-year-old remains firmly grounded as she prepares for Sunday’s race in the Mother City.
The Hollywood Athletics Club runner has lit up the past three weeks with personal bests over 3000m, 5000m and 10km, building momentum like a runner finding a smooth downhill rhythm. Still, her focus stays on execution rather than expectation.
“I’m looking forward to taking part in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K,” said Kavanagh. “I ran it last year and thoroughly enjoyed the route and the competition. With this being my second 10km race of the season, I’m looking forward to putting together a strong run.”
Her recent 3000m victory in Stellenbosch, where she clocked 8:46.86, underlined her sharpness, coming soon after her 31:33 win at the Cape Town leg of the SPAR Grand Prix where she beat Glenrose Xaba.
Kavanagh believes her decision to spend more time on the track this season is paying off.
“It was a good decision,” she said. “As someone without a track background, it is so good to add track to the mix this year. I think it’s assisting me to be faster on the road. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the track season, but the road is where my full passion lies. I’m looking forward to being back on the road and seeing what we can do in the 10km distances.”
Cape Town also marks a meaningful point in her resurgence after injury setbacks in 2023 and 2024. Her fifth-place finish here last year signalled a return to form.
“I feel that the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K last year is where I started to pick up my form again. That means it’s kind of a special race for me. I don’t have too many expectations. I’ve been enjoying the process of running. That’s when I perform at my best.”
Series founder Michael Meyer believes Kavanagh’s current trajectory makes her one to watch.
“Tayla has been nothing short of exceptional over the past few weeks, and her recent string of personal bests across multiple distances is a clear indication that she’s in outstanding form,” he said. “If her current trajectory is anything to go by, we can expect a truly special performance in Cape Town.”
The race starts at 09:00 on Sunday, 10 May, from Marine Drive in Milnerton and finishes in the Cape Town CBD.
Tayla Kavanaghdelivered 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 Semenyafinished 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)
Tayla Kavanagh – 31:33
Glenrose Xaba – 31:38
Kyla Jacobs – 32:16
Karabo More – 32:34
Cacisile Sosibo – 32:42
Karabo Mailula – 33:28
Irvette van Zyl – 33:43
Zanthe Taljaard – 34:23
Carina Swiegers – 34:47
Elizabeth Hutamo – 35:09
Deanne Launscher – 35:41
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
Defending champion Glenrose Xabawill begin her bid for a record-breaking fourth SPAR Grand Prix title when the 2026 series opens in Green Point on Sunday.
No athlete has won the competition four times since its inception 18 years ago. Xaba, already a three-time winner, now has the opportunity to stand alone at the top of that list.
The opening race has been reshaped by the absence of Ethiopian runners Diniya Abaraya and Salem Gebre, who finished second and third respectively in last year’s standings. Both were unable to secure the necessary visas and clearance documents, their club confirmed earlier this week.
Their withdrawal strengthens the prospects of South Africa’s leading contenders and is expected to intensify competition among the local elite field.
“The SPAR Grand Prix has become very important to me,” said Xaba. “I am very proud to be the first black South African to win it three times. I hope my achievements are an inspiration to young girls living in poverty as I was, who see what I have done and believe they can do the same.”
Xaba said she was in good condition ahead of the season opener.
“I am ready to run my best and I am looking forward to the competition. I just want to achieve good results in 2026,” she said.
Among those expected to challenge are Karabo Mailula, Irvette van Zyl and Tayla Kavanagh, along with Xaba’s training partners Karabo More and Cacisile Sosibo.
The SPAR Grand Prix consists of five races, with stops in Cape Town, Durban, Tshwane, Gqeberha and Johannesburg.
This year’s series offers a total prize purse of R2 million. The overall winner will earn R210 000, with additional incentives available to the top South African finishers.
Attention will also turn to the age-group categories. Junior champion Chanel Groenewald starts as favourite in her division. Anne Stewart will defend her 50-59 title, with Elizabeth Potter among her challengers. In the 60-plus category, Judy Bird is set to face strong competition from record holder Margie Saunders.
Sunday’s race follows a fast coastal route, starting near Green Point and running along the Sea Point Promenade before finishing at the Green Point Common.
For Xaba, the campaign begins with a clear objective: to convert consistency into history.
Akani Simbine, South Africa’s 100m record holder, headlines a squad that features nine other national record holder for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, set to take place in Glasgow, Scotland, from 23 July to 6 August.
The group has been trimmed from the initial 72 athletes announced in December, with the latest selection comprising 44 men and 24 women as preparations intensify.
Among those included are three athletes who reached the podium at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham: 100m star Simbine, long jumper Jovan van Vuuren and 400m hurdles specialist Zenéy Geldenhuys.
Wayde van Niekerk, the world record holder over 400m, has been selected in the 200m, while Tshepo Tshite (1500m), Adriaan Wildschutt (10,000m), Antonio Alkana (110m hurdles), Luvo Manyonga (long jump), Marioné Fourie (100m hurdles), Miné de Klerk (shot put), and marathon runners Elroy Gelant and Glenrose Xaba are also among the country’s record holders in the squad.
The provisional team further includes Olympic silver medallist Jo-Ané du Plessis (javelin), former world indoor champion Prudence Sekgodiso (800m), and ultra-distance specialist Gerda Steyn.
The final team to travel to Scotland will be confirmed at a later stage by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC).
ASA provisional Commonwealth Games squad
Men: Akani Simbine (100m/4x100m), Shaun Maswanganyi (100m/4x100m), Gift Leotlela (100m/4x100m), Abduraghmaan Karriem (100m/4x100m), Retshidisitswe Mlenga (100m/4x100m), Tsebo Matsoso (100m/4x100m), Karabo Letebele (100m/4x100m), Bradley Nkoana (100m/4x100m), Bayanda Walaza (100m/4x100m), Sinesipho Dambile (200m/4x100m), Wayde van Niekerk (200m/4x400m), Naeem Jack (200m), Leendert Koekemoer (400m/4x400m), Matt Nortjé (400m/4x400m), Udeme Okon (400m/4x400m), Zakithi Nene (400m/4x400m), Lythe Pillay (400m/4x400m), Gardeo Isaacs (400m/4x400m), Mthi Mthimkulu (400m/4x400m), Tumisang Shezi (400m/4x400m), Tshepo Tshite (1500m), Ryan Mphahlele (1500m), Adriaan Wildschutt (10,000m), Antonio Alkana (110m hurdles), Mondray Barnard (110m hurdles), John Adesola (110m hurdles), Njabulo Mbatha (400m hurdles), Sabelo Dhlamini (400m hurdles), Jovan van Vuuren (long jump), Cheswill Johnson (long jump), Luvo Manyonga (long jump), Kyle Blignaut (shot put), Aiden Smith (shot put), Victor Hogan (discus), Brian Raats (high jump), Kyle Rademeyer (pole vault), Douw Smith (javelin), Elroy Gelant (marathon), Adam Lipschitz (marathon), Thabang Mosiako (marathon), Tumelo Motlagale (marathon), Melikhaya Frans (marathon), Regan Magwai (marathon), Bennett Seloyi (marathon).
Women: Miranda Coetzee (400m/4x400m), Shirley Nekhubui (400m/4x400m), Precious Molepo (400m/4x400m), Zenéy Geldenhuys (400m hurdles/4x400m), Hannah van Niekerk (400m hurdles/4x400m), Rogail Joseph (400m hurdles/4x400m), Marlie Viljoen (400m/4x400m), Prudence Sekgodiso (800m), Aviwe Hoboloshe (800m), Charné du Plessis (800m), Marioné Fourie (100m hurdles), Danielle Nolte (long jump), Miré Reinstorf (pole vault), Miné de Klerk (shot put), Ashley Erasmus (shot put), Colette Uys (shot put), Jo-Ané du Plessis (javelin), Mckyla van der Westhuizen (javelin), Jana van Schalkwyk (javelin), Jessica Groenewald (35km walk), Glenrose Xaba (marathon), Cian Oldknow (marathon), Dominique Scott-Efurd (marathon), Gerda Steyn (marathon).
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 IsaacKibet 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
South African multiple record holderAdriaan Wildschuttwill toe the line at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K on Sunday morning determined to make history, while keeping his emotions in check.
The US-based runner has spent an extended training block in Potchefstroom ahead of the 7am start in Nelson Mandela Bay, fine-tuning the engine that powered him to a then national 10km record of 27:28 in Gqeberha last year.
That mark was eclipsed five months later when Maxime Chaumeton clocked 26:55 in Romania, leaving Wildschutt with a fresh target. His focus now is clear: become the first athlete to break 27 minutes for 10km on African soil in the country of his birth.
Yet, as race day approaches, he admits the magnitude of the task has been hard to ignore.
Wildschutt said he is doing everything possible not to overthink the opportunity.
“I never even thought about that to be honest because Ive realised in the last few years that you can break so many records only for them to be broken the next day, so I’m not so focused about records any more. There are a lot of things I do in my life and things I’m interested in because if you are going to obsess over records, it’s just going to result in sadness at the end of the day.
“For me, I just want to run sub-27, and I think it’s going to be a mental thing because it will be the first time that’s been done on African soil.”
Wildschutt, who finished tenth in the men’s 10 000m final at the Paris Olympics, believes familiarity with the Gqeberha course could prove decisive. Having made his race debut there last year, he returns with a clearer understanding of the coastal conditions.
“I know the course now and know which direction the wind blows unless it changes again because you never really know. We also have pacers now, and there is a person we are confident in that can push all the way to 5km, because last year we were well off pace early on and that made it so much harder to run by yourself. In that department, we are already better and hopefully my fitness is good enough.”
Last year he voiced frustration at the early pace. This time, the experienced Kenyan Isaac Kibet Ndiema, who owns a 26:55 personal best, is expected to help drive the tempo at the front.
Even so, Wildschutt insists his race will be dictated by execution rather than rivalry.
At Friday’s pre-race press conference, he underlined his readiness.
“I had a great experience here in Gqeberha last year. It’s a world class event happening in a great city. I’m feeling good and hopefully I can deliver on Sunday,”
He also acknowledged the formula required for something special.
“To run fast anywhere in the world you need a high level of competition, great pace making and good weather. I’m not saying that to be arrogant, but rather acknowledging that I need other people to work with to help me to achieve this tough goal. I’m grateful to Absa for making it happen. If I can manage to do it, it would be the second best performance of my career behind the Olympics,”
For Wildschutt, discovered as a teenager by Zola Budd and now one of the country’s most accomplished distance runners, Sunday is less about reclaiming a record and more about crossing a psychological frontier.
Women’s field chasing history
The women’s contest carries similar weight.
Kenya’s Brenda Jepchirchir arrives as the 10km world leader after running 29:25 in Valencia in January. She is targeting the first sub-30 minute performance by a woman on African soil.
“Running my first sub 30 minute race to win the Valencia 10K was so emotional. I’m happy to be here to race in South Africa because I hear that it’s a fast course. My aim is to break my personal best time and hopefully make history by running the fastest time on African soil.”
She heads a deep field that includes fellow Kenyan Faith Cherono, South African record holder Glenrose Xaba, and Lesotho national record holder Neheng Khatala.
Series opener sets the tone
The Gqeberha race launches the 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, which will travel to Cape Town, Durban, Tshwane and Joburg later in the year. The five-race circuit boasts a combined prize purse of R1 686 000, with incentives aimed at unlocking elite performances from South African athletes.
On Sunday, though, the mathematics are simple. Twenty-seven minutes stands as the line in the sand for Wildschutt. If the pacemakers hit their marks and the coastal breeze plays along, Gqeberha could witness a breakthrough that reshapes the African 10km narrative.
The SPAR Grand Prix has reached its 18th year, and like a seasoned marathoner hitting her stride, the series continues to quicken the tempo of women’s road running in South Africa.
Staged across five legs of theSPAR Women’s 10km Challenge in Cape Town, Durban, Tshwane, Gqeberha and Johannesburg, the Grand Prix operates as an elite race within a mass participation celebration. Thousands line up at each stop, yet at the sharp end the country’s finest compete for points, pride and a prize purse that has swelled to R1 967 500.
Launched in 2008 to give top-tier South African runners a structured, rewarding annual contest, the series widened its lane in 2019 to include international athletes. The arrival of runners from across Africa has acted like a tailwind, lifting standards and sharpening finishing kicks. Local athletes have responded with faster times and fearless racing.
The overall champion in 2026 will pocket R210 000, with R105 000 for second and R80 000 for third. Age category winners earn R11 000, with R8 000 for runners-up. South Africa’s top five finishers also receive dedicated incentives. The leading South African takes home R110 000, second earns R75 000 and fifth collects R21 000, in addition to their main competition earnings.
Across 18 years, four athletes have won the title three times:Rene Kalmer, Irvette van Zyl, Tadu Nare of Ethiopia and Glenrose Xaba. Xababroke new ground as the first South African champion since the series opened to international competition, and the first black South African to claim three titles. She now chases a fourth crown, aiming to carve her name deeper into the record books.
“The SPAR Grand Prix has become very important to me,” said Xaba. “I am very proud to be the first black South African to win it three times. I like to think that my achievements are an inspiration to young girls living in poverty as I was, who see what I have done and believe they can do the same.”
Beyond the stopwatch, the Grand Prix carries a powerful social stride. SPAR’s campaign to end period poverty and gender-based violence runs alongside the racing calendar.
“As a business rooted in the heart of South African communities, SPAR has a responsibility to stand up for women and girls. Ending period poverty and gender-based violence is about more than intervention – it’s about dignity, safer environments, and equal opportunities.
“Through our community partnerships and sustained investments, we are committed to creating environments where women are supported, protected, and empowered to reach their full potential. This is not just one of those social responsibility programmes for SPAR – it is central to who we are.
“We continue to advocate for dignity and access to essential resources for women and girls. By partnering with organisations on the ground and investing in community driven solutions, we are helping to break down barriers, restore dignity, and create comfortable spaces where women can thrive, and get an opportunity to celebrate themselves. These efforts reflect SPAR’s core values of care, inclusivity, and meaningful community impact.
“The SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge and the SPAR Grand Prix are examples of our commitment to improving the lot of women.”
Acting President of Athletics South Africa, John Mathane, saluted the milestone.
Pictured from left, Acting President of Athletics South Africa, John Mathane, Glenrose Xaba 2025 SPAR Grand Prix Winner and Mpudi Maubane, SPAR National PR, Communications and Sponsorship Manager. Photo credit- Reg Caldecott
“SPAR is one of the longest standing sponsors of athletics in South Africa, and we applaud SPAR for having supported, promoted and empowered hundreds of thousands of women through the SPAR Challenge series, while assisting our elite athletes through the SPAR Grand Prix.
“ASA are aligned with SPAR and their commendable initiative to end GBV and period poverty. The women of South Africa need to be heard, respected and protected,” said Mathane.
Corporate backing remains strong. Hyundai and Coca Cola return as official partners for 2026, with Modern Athlete as media partner. At each race, one entrant over 18 with a valid driver’s licence stands a chance to drive away in an all-new Hyundai EXTER.
“Hyundai is driven by performance, precision and people,” said Stanley Anderson, CEO of Hyundai Automotive South Africa. “We excited to continue our partnership with the SPAR National Grand Prix Series. Once again, one lucky attendee at each race stands a chance to drive away in the all-new Hyundai EXTER and this is our way of celebrating South Africans’ energy, on and off the track.”
The 2026 theme, #CelebrateHer, captures the spirit of a series that blends elite competition with community upliftment. Eighteen years in, the SPAR Grand Prix runs with the confidence of experience and the hunger of youth, its footsteps echoing far beyond the finish line.
South African 10km record holder Glenrose Xaba will launch her 2026 campaign with history in her sights when she lines up at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K on Sunday, 1 March.
Xaba returns to Nelson Mandela Bay off the back of a demanding but productive 2025 season in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, where she claimed three podium finishes, including two victories. Her year also included the second marathon of her career and national duty at theWorld Athletics Cross Country Championships in the United States.
After a brief recovery phase, she says preparations have progressed smoothly.
“The body is feeling good,” Xaba said. “After World Cross Country, the focus was on recovery, easy mileage and strength work before building intensity again. Training has been consistent, and I feel stronger each week.”
The 2026 Gqeberha race is being billed as the fastest women’s 10km field assembled on African soil. Kenya’s sub-30-minute performer Brenda Jepchirchir and compatriotFaith Cheronoheadline a formidable East African contingent.
For Xaba, the quality of the field presents opportunity rather than intimidation.
“Being part of such a strong field is exciting and motivating,” she said. “When you line up against fast Kenyan athletes and other top runners, it pushes you to perform at your best.”
Xaba holds the South African women’s 10km record of 31:12 and finished third in Gqeberha last year in 31:50. With an anticipated aggressive early pace, she could become the first South African woman to dip under the 31-minute mark.
“I have great memories from racing in Gqeberha last year and finishing on the podium,” she added. “This time, I want to improve on that performance. My target is to run a personal best and compete for the top positions again.”
Glenrose Xaba 2025 Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K by Anthony Grote
Series founder and Stillwater Sports ManagingDirector Michael Meyer welcomed Xaba’s return, highlighting the significance of staging a world-class women’s field on home soil.
“We are incredibly proud to see Glenrose line up against world-class competitors,” Meyer said. “Hosting what is arguably the fastest women’s 10km field on the continent is a milestone for the event.”
The Gqeberha race opens a five-leg national series that will travel to Cape Town (10 May), Durban (12 July), Tshwane (23 August) and Joburg (24 September).
With a combined prize purse of R1 686 000 and additional incentives for South African athletes, the stakes are high. But for Xaba, the primary target remains the clock.
If the pace unfolds as predicted along the coastal route, South African road running could witness a landmark performance to kick-start 2026.
Kenya’s Brenda Jepchirchir, the 20-year-old world No.1 will toe the line at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10Kon Sunday, 1 March 2026, chasing history and dragging the pace of women’s road running on the continent into uncharted territory.
Fresh from her electrifying victory at the Valencia 10K in January, where she scorched the streets in 29:25, Jepchirchir has already torn through one of distance running’s most stubborn psychological barriers. Now she’s eyeing something even bigger: becoming the first woman to run a sub-30-minute 10km road race on African soil.
Jepchirchir’s rise has been built on patience and precision. Her Valencia performance launched her to the top of the 2026 world rankings and cemented her status as one of the sport’s most feared road racers. But rather than staying on Europe’s lucrative circuit, she’s followed the fast lane south. It’s a path previously carved by icons such as Genzebe Dibaba and Yelamzerf Yehualu.
The draw is simple: the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series has become a speed laboratory where elite athletes don’t just chase times, they manufacture them.
“I’ve heard great things about the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series and the Gqeberha 10K. The course is known for being fast, the organisation is excellent, and the competition is strong. I’m excited to experience racing in South Africa and to be part of such a high-energy event,” Jepchirchir said.
Her presence transforms the race into a high-octane proving ground for South Africa’s leading women’s 10km specialists, particularly Glenrose Xaba and Tayla Kavanagh amongst others. Both runners have steadily tightened their grip on the domestic road scene, and lining up beside the world’s fastest woman is the equivalent of stepping onto a treadmill that keeps accelerating.
For Xaba, a proven championship racer with tactical steel, Jepchirchir’s relentless tempo could serve as the perfect pacing carrot, or a punishing reality check. Meanwhile, Kavanagh’s fearless front-running style could thrive in a race that promises to unfold at record-threatening speed. The clash offers South African athletes a rare opportunity to test themselves against global gold standard pacing without leaving home soil.
Jepchirchir’s breakthrough wasn’t accidental. It was the product of months spent stacking disciplined mileage like bricks in a foundation built for speed.
“It was an amazing feeling and a very special moment for me. Valencia is such a competitive race, so winning there and breaking 30 minutes for the first time meant a lot,” she explained.
“The biggest factor has been consistency. Over the last six months I’ve been able to train well, stay healthy, and really build momentum. On 1 March, the goal is to put together a strong race, compete well, and see what time is possible on the day. If conditions are right, I’d love to run fast again, but the focus must also be on execution and racing smart.”
Race organisers believe Jepchirchir’s debut injects jet fuel into an already electric event.
“To have the current world No.1, fresh off a sensational win in Valencia, choose to make her South African debut at our event speaks volumes about the stature of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series,” said Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder.
“Brenda’s presence raises the bar once again and guarantees an exciting, world-class race for both elite and recreational runners on the streets of Nelson Mandela Bay.”
With a combined prize purse of R1.686 million across the 2026 series, alongside performance incentives designed to reward South African athletes, the Gqeberha leg promises fireworks.
Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K START by Anthony Grote
When the starter’s gun cracks, the race could unfold like a perfectly executed negative split: smooth, controlled, and devastatingly fast when it matters most.
