Durban’s beachfront turned into a runway of dreams on Sunday morning as 5,000 runners thundered down Snell Parade like a sea of determination, chasing glory beneath the coastal sunrise. But it was Ryan Mphahlele and Glenrose Xaba who broke the tap with record-shattering runs at the 2025Boxer Super Run 5K.
Mphahlele, in his debut at the event, scorched the tar in 13:37, setting a new course record and becoming the fastest South African ever on African soil over the distance.
“The last time that I ran a 5km was two years ago,” he said with a grin as wide as the promenade.
“The opportunity came especially in Durban, a coastal area. So I thought, let me come and top it. It was like a fitness run to me, to see where my fitness is at this time of the year.”
Ryan Mphahlele wins Boxer Super Run Durban by Anthony Grote
The 27-year-old from Thembisa treated the elite men’s race like a tactical tempo session, easing in, then dropping the hammer when it mattered most.
“Elroy was my toughest competition and of course Kabelo Mulaudzi really showed up. When I looked back, I saw Kabelo was moving closer, so I just had to take the sting out of him,” Mphahlele explained.
“It was my goal to win today, and it feels very good to cross the finish line first. I love Durban, I love the weather, and I’ll be back next year.”
Mulaudzi (13:39) crossed the line second, with veteran Elroy Gelant (13:42) rounding off the podium.
The women’s elite race was an equally fierce sprint for supremacy. Glenrose Xaba, unleashed her trademark kick to win in 15:27, holding off her Boxer training partner Karabo More(15:34) and Hollywood AC’s Tayla Kavanagh (15:35) in a thrilling chase to the finish.
“Today’s race was good. The pace was too fast,” said a jubilant Xaba, who is tuning up for the Valencia Marathon.
“I recovered very well after two long runs in preparation. I went with my coach’s strategy to just sit behind, but when you take the move, take it and don’t think about your training partner.
“It feels good to be back and on the podium. There’s a lot that I enjoy about the Boxer Super Run: the support, the atmosphere, the fans. It’s my second home here, so it’s nice to run at home again.”
Glenrose Xaba wins Boxer Super Run Durban 2025 by Anthony Grote
Launched in 2023 by Stillwater Sports, Boxer Superstores, and Coca-Cola, the Super Run has become a must-run fixture on the national calendar. It’s part sprint, part celebration and all spirit.
“What an incredible day of racing,” said Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports.
“From the country’s top elites to the thousands of everyday runners, today was a true celebration of running. Congratulations to Ryan and Glenrose on your remarkable victories. Your performances set a benchmark for the stars of tomorrow.”
Lee-Ann Pillay, Boxer Superstores’ Head of Marketing, added:
“Ryan and Glenrose took elite racing to the next level. Well done to Ryan on becoming the fastest South African on African soil. The vibe in Durban was fantastic. We can’t wait to build on this momentum as we look ahead to the Boxer Super Run’s Johannesburg debut.”
With a R147,200 prize purse and waves for every kind of runner, from elites chasing records to weekend joggers chasing PBs, the Boxer Super Run once again proved that Durban’s promenade isn’t just a stretch of road. On Sunday, it was a launchpad for history.
ELITE MEN’S WAVE Start by Anthony Grote
TOP 10 RESULTS: ELITE WAVES
Elite Men 1 Ryan Mphahlele 13:37, 2 Kabelo Mulaudzi 13:39, 3 Elroy Gelant 13:42, 4 Musawenkosi Mnisi 13:49, 5 Chris Mhlanga 13:51, 6 Zenzile Pheke 13:54, 7 Bongelani Mkhwanazi 13:54, 8 Simon Sibeko 13:56 Elite Women 1 Glenrose Xaba 15:27, 2 Karabo More 15:34, 3 Tayla Kavanagh 15:35, 4 Carina Viljoen 16:00, 5 Kyla Jacobs 16:13, 6 Cacisile Sosibo 16:23, 7 Danielle Verster 16:40, 8 Bathobile Mhkize 16:49
Boxer Athletics Club’s star trio of Precious Mashele, Kabelo Mulaudzi and Chris Mhlanga will return for another crack at the Boxer Super Run 5km on Durban’s promenade this Sunday.
Last year, the three turned the beachfront into a Boxer sweep, with Mashele storming to victory in 13:39, chased by Mulaudzi (13:40) and Mhlanga (13:43).
The clean sweep set the tone for one of the toughest 5km races in the country.
“Last year, I won the Boxer Super Run in Durban on my birthday, which was very special for me,” Mashele said.
“Winning the race has meant a lot to me because I used the prize money to continue building my house in Limpopo.
“This year, I’ve been struggling with injury, so I’m motivated to come back strong and win my club race to thank Boxer and Ntate [Rhyn] Swanepoel for all their support during difficult times.”
Elite Men at Boxer Super Run Durban 2024 by Gavin Ryan
Mulaudzi, second last year, believes Durban suits his racing instincts.
“The 5km and 10km are my favourite distances, so the Boxer Super Run Durban is an event I really look forward to. My goal is a win and a personal best. I think I have a good chance, but part of my success comes from being very respectful of my opponents,” he said.
Known for his devastating kick, Mulaudzi added:
“I try to stay flexible with my tactics, but generally my strength and speed in the last 2km help me perform well. Durban has always been a special venue for me. The course and the beachfront always fill me with excitement.”
To social runners, he had simple advice:
“Don’t start too fast. It’s always better to finish strongly than to charge at the start and struggle in the second half.”
Mhlanga, who rounded off last year’s podium, is ready to fight again.
“The Boxer Super Run is special because, as Boxer AC athletes, we get to showcase our talent in our very own biggest 5km. My goal is to finish on the podium again. It’s not an easy course, yet we still manage our best times.”
“It was such a proud moment in 2024 to see Boxer Athletics Club round off the Elite Men’s podium. We are thrilled to welcome back Precious, Kabelo and Chris in 2025. These three top contenders are true inspirations for the sport.”
With R147 200 in prize moneyon the line, Sunday’s race promises fireworks on the Durban seafront. Expect another fast, furious finish, and perhaps, a repeat of Boxer’s podium parade.
Durban’s beachfront will turn into a blur of fast-twitch muscle and pounding footsteps on Sunday, 12 October, when Elroy Gelant lines up for the 2025 Boxer Super Run with one clear target – a sub-14-minute clocking.
Elroy, who finished fifth last year in 13:49, is determined to keep the heat on a stacked men’s field.
“My goal is straightforward: to go under 14 minutes, ideally dipping under 13:50 to keep the pressure on the field,” he says.
The stakes are high, with a R147 200 prize purse on offer and R20 000 to the men’s and women’s winners.
For Elroy, that money is more than just numbers on a cheque.
“It highlights Boxer’s commitment to rewarding elite athletes and growing the sport,” he explains.
“It helps with essentials like training gear, and even personal dreams like building a home. In a tough profession like ours, incentives like this push us to go harder and also attract top international talent. I’m all for it; it makes the racing even fiercer.”
For him, the 5km is short enough to go flat out and long enough to sting.
“For elites like us, it’s a chance to chase personal bests and national records on a flat, fast course like Durban’s,” he adds.
“The Boxer Super Run is special because it brings elites and everyday runners together in a vibrant, community-focused atmosphere.
“It’s not just about speed, but about celebrating running along the promenade with the ocean breeze. And it promotes fitness for all ages, which I love.”
But Elroy hasn’t forgotten the social runners.
“To everyone lacing up for the Boxer Super Run, you’ve got this! Whether it’s your first 5km or your hundredth, arrive with a smile, soak up the energy, and remember that running is about joy, not just the finish line.
“High-five a stranger, cheer on your wave mates, and celebrate every step. Durban’s energy will carry you through!”
He’ll have plenty of company at the sharp end. Former SA champion Gladwin Mzazi returns for a second crack:
“I entered the Boxer Super Run Durban because it is so well organised. The event has amazing vibes and excellent marshals along the route. I’m looking forward to strong competition, and my goal is to run under 14:15.”
Andries Sesedi, making his debut, is relishing the speed test:
“The Boxer 5km is known for being fast, so I want to deliver my quickest time. It’s a great opportunity to showcase my ability as a speed athlete, and I’m excited to aim for a new personal best.”
Meanwhile, Bennett Seloyi is eyeing his own PB.
“I’m determined to run a PB on the day,” he says.
“Boxer AC is a fantastic team with top runners, especially my friends Kabelo (Mulaudzi), Chris (Mhlanga), and Andries (Sesedi).”
Organisers are expecting fireworks.
“We’re excited to welcome Elroy Gelant back to the Boxer Super Run Durban in 2025,” says Lee-Ann Pillay, Boxer Superstores Head of Marketing.
“We love that he has set a clear goal, pushing himself while raising the bar for the rest of the field. We also can’t wait to see Gladwin Mzazi, Andries Sesedi, and Bennett Seloyi in action. It promises to be an electrifying elite men’s wave.”
With Durban’s promenade set to echo with cheers, quick strides, and high-fives, the stage is set for a5km showdown that could rewrite the record books.
Johannesburg is about to swap its traffic jams for jogging jams when the Boxer Super Run makes its City of Gold debut on Sunday, 9 November 2025, at the iconic Marks Park Sports Club.
Entries open this Friday, 26 September and if Durban’s record sell-out is anything to go by, they’ll vanish quicker than a sprinter out the blocks.
Billed as South Africa’s most social 5km, the race promises a carnival on the run: early-bird striders chasing PBs, charity teams in colourful costumes, and elites set to sprint for podium glory.
Boxer Super Run by Tobias Ginsberg
Like a relay baton, the energy will flow through every wave until the finish village buzzes with medals, music, and laughter.
“It’s going to be a day for runners, families, and friends to celebrate together.”
Boxer Superstores’ Lee-Ann Pillay agrees: “It’s all about energy, fun, and community. Whether you’re running, walking, or cheering, you’re part of the action.”
With performance tees, goodie bags, and medals in store, the Boxer Super Run is set to turn Joburg’s streets into a moving festival. The only question: will you be on the start line or left behind at the tape?
Boxer Super Run by Tobias Ginsberg
EVENT INFORMATION: 2025 Boxer Super Run Joburg
Date:
Sunday 09 November 2025
Distance:
5km
Start Venue:
Marks Park Sports Club
Finish Venue:
Marks Park Sports Club
Event Waves & Start Times:
07:00 / OPEN WAVE (Anyone and everyone, club runners, serious runners, schools, runners who prefer an early start, masses)08:00 – 09:30 / SUPER SOCIAL WAVE (Dress up, groups, company groups, charities, runners who prefer a slightly later start)09:45 / ELITE WOMEN10:00 / ELITE MEN
Minimum Age of Entrant:
9 years old
Entries Open:
Friday 26 September 2025
Entries Close:
Monday, 03 November 2025 or ONCE CAPACITY HAS BEEN REACHED
Entry Includes:
Boxer Super Run Event Performance T-shirtBoxer Super Run Goodie BagRace Number / Timing ChipFantastic On Route ExperienceBoxer Super Run Finisher’s Medal
Durban’s beachfront is bracing for a tidal wave of colour, rhythm, and record-breaking speed when the Boxer Super Run sprints into its third edition on Sunday, 12 October 2025.
More carnival than competition in its opening laps, the OPEN and SUPER SOCIAL WAVES will paint the promenade in neon energy, before the atmosphere tightens like a starter’s pistol. That’s when the nation’s fastest legs take centre stage, vying for the coveted crowns of King and Queen of the Boxer Super Run.
The event already hums with history. At the inaugural race in 2023, Precious Mashele and Glenrose Xaba tore up the record books, clocking 13:44 and 16:03 – the fastest 5km times ever run by South Africans on home soil. Mashele then went one better in 2024, slicing the stopwatch to 13:39.
ELITE WOMENS WAVE Boxer Super Run Durban by Gavin Ryan
“This year, all eyes will be on whether those records can fall again,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports.
“With an impressive R147 200 prize purse adding extra incentive, we’re optimistic about seeing more South African 5km records rewritten in Durban. But it’s not only the elite race that will deliver fireworks. The Open Wave is packed with competitive runners chasing personal bests – and with prize money for the Top 3 men and women across every age group, there’s every reason to push hard.”
Meyer adds with a grin: “And of course, the Super Social Wave will once again bring the colour and energy that make this event so unique. Whether you’re running or walking, we want to see you dress up, embrace the vibe, and turn the Durban streets into a celebration of fun, fitness and flair.”
Title sponsor Boxer Superstoresshares the buzz, pointing to the iconic route that snakes from Snell Parade, cruises down Lagoon Drive, and finishes at Blue Lagoon Park.
“We’re looking forward to another action-packed day of racing,” says Lee-Ann Pillay, Head of Marketing at Boxer Superstores.
“It’s a fast, flat course with just one little climb to test the legs, but the real magic is in the scenery – runners as young as nine will fly past Durban’s landmarks with the ocean breeze at their side. Add in the activations, the music, and the vibe, and this becomes the most social 5km run in South Africa.”
With capacity already maxed out, the stage is set. From neon-clad walkers to record-chasing elites, Durban’s streets are about to echo with footfalls of the Boxer Super Run, a festival of speed, sweat, and celebration.
With a second event launched in Tshwane this year, alongside the second edition of the Durban leg, the Boxer Super Runs saw some of the fastest times ever run on SA soil posted in this fun, all-inclusive and official 5km race series. – BY Jacky McClean with Sean Falconer
