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Mphahlele returns to defend Boxer Super Run Durban title

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By Adnaan Mohamed

Ryan Mphahlele will defend his Boxer Super Run Durban 5km title on 18 October knowing he is not at the fitness level that powered him to victory a year ago.

The Tembisa-based runner won both Durban and Johannesburg in 2025, but says this year’s race will serve as a measure of where he stands against a strong elite field.

“Whenever I line up at a race, I want to win,” Mphahlele said. “But my fitness isn’t anywhere near where it was at this time last year. I’ll definitely compete for the win, but I’ll also use the race to see where my fitness is now and how I compare with the other athletes.”

Mphahlele returns to a fast, flat Durban course he favours, although his previous victory offers little comfort ahead of another fiercely contested race.

Last year’s win required a fight to the finish, and the defending champion expects the competition to be tougher this time.

“I enjoy the fast, flat course and expect the tactics to be similar to last year,” he said. “The standard was already very high, and the win didn’t come easily.”

The attractive prize purse adds another incentive to an elite race that has already attracted a sold-out field.

Stillwater Sports managing director Michael Meyer said Mphahlele’s return would add further intrigue to the contest, particularly given his candid assessment of his preparation.

The elite women’s race starts at 09:45, with the elite men following at 10:00 at Snell Parade near Blue Lagoon Park.

For Mphahlele, the race offers two targets: another title and an answer to a more immediate question about his form.

The stopwatch will provide the answer.

The Boxer Super Run Johannesburg takes place on Sunday, 15 November, with entries also sold out.

Glenrose makes history, then finds her grandmother

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By Adnaan Mohamed

JOHANNESBURG – “Something must be done about the horrific levels of gender-based violence in South Africa.” Gerda Steyn’s powerful words set the tone for the final SPAR Women’s Grand Prix race in Johannesburg on Sunday, where thousands of women turned the City of Gold into a moving sea of solidarity before Glenrose “Supercharger” Xaba powered her way into the history books.

Steyn led a moment of silence before the race to honour victims of gender-based violence and femicide, while the elite athletes wore black armbands in solidarity with women living under the shadow of violence.

Hollywood AC’s Hollywood AC’s Irvette van Zyl, Makhosi Mhlongo and Gerda Steyn at the start of  the 2026 SPAR Women’s Grand Prix and 10km Challenge and 5km Fun Run at Marks Park Sports Club (Photo by Reg Caldecott/Gallo Images)

“Women should be able to go about their daily lives without fear, and if they want to run, they should be free to do so without wondering whether they will get home safely,” said Steyn.

The message carried extra weight on a morning when about 15 000 women took to the streets for the Jozi SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge.

Then came the moment that mattered more than the stopwatch.

Xaba had already etched her name into SPAR Grand Prix history when she stormed across the Marks Park finish line in 32:26 to win the fifth and final race of the series and secure an unprecedented fourth Grand Prix title.

Seconds later, the 29-year-old Boxer athlete found her 89-year-old grandmother, Elizabeth Xaba, and wrapped her in an emotional embrace.

It was the first time Elizabeth had watched her granddaughter race live.

The stopwatch recorded 32:26. The embrace recorded something far more personal.

“My grandma is a special lady to me. She’s very close to my heart and I’m so happy that she’s there to witness the thing that I’m doing,” Xaba said.

“She taught me very well and she always believes in me and always motivates me all the time. If I’m feeling down, she’s always there for me.

“I can say that I love her so much and she loves me too. And I’m glad that she’s there today.”

Xaba’s victory completed a remarkable season in which her trademark acceleration once again turned the final kilometres into a launching pad.

Glenrose Xaba celebrates her 2026 SPAR Women’s Grand Prix victory with her grandmother Elizabeth Xaba at Marks Park Sports Club. (Photo by Reg Caldecott/Gallo Images)

Her Boxer teammate Karabo More followed her home in 33:36 for second place, with Selam Gebre of Nedbank third in 33:52. Esther Borura finished fourth in 34:25, followed by Irvette van Zyl in 34:42.

More, who has repeatedly shown her resilience throughout the series, said she was proud of another podium finish after a demanding week.

“I’m really proud of myself. It was a very challenging week. I think I had to push from start to finish,” she said. “It’s all about your mental state. If it’s very strong, you can fight. By God’s grace, I was able to get another podium finish.”

Karabo Mailula was sixth in 35:14, Steyn seventh in 35:23, Kyla Jacobs eighth in 35:25, Emma Browne ninth in 35:31 and Dirbe Dagne 10th in 35:51.

On a morning when running became a platform for solidarity, Xaba supplied the history and her grandmother supplied the heart.

The final image was fitting: a champion who had spent 10km chasing the clock finally stopped to embrace the person who had helped her believe she could outrun it.

CHECK YOUR RESULTS OF JOZI SPAR WOMEN’S 10KM CHALLENGE PART OF THE SPAR GRAND PRIX HERE

OPEN: 1. Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) 32:26; 2. Karabo More (Boxer) 33:36; 3. Selam Gebre (Nedbank) 33:52; Esther Borura (Super Eagles) 34:25; 5. Irvette van Zyl (Hollywood AC) 34:42; 6. Karabo Mailula (Boxer) 35:14; 7. Gerda Steyn (Hollywood AC) 35:23; 8. Kyla Jacobs (Boxer) 35:25; 9. Emma Browne (Peak RC) 35:31; 10. Dirbe Dagne (Nedbank) 35:51

JUNIOR 1. Dirbe Dagne (Nedbank) 35:51; 2. Mpho Katiso (TUT) 38:03; 3. Megan Waller (Nedbank) 39:19

40-49 1. Este van Tonder (Nedbank) 38:53; 2. Makhosi Mahlongo (Hollywood AC) 39:45; 3. Tebogo Mokgosinyane (Nedbank) 40:44

40-59 1. Charne Bosman (Tuks) 41;30; 2. Elizabeth Potter (Boxer) 42:16; 3. Janene Carey (Boxer) 43:23

60-69 1. Judy Bird (Boxer) 44:08; 2. Dalene Sonnekus (Nedbank) 46:54; 3. Elmarie Pretorius (RWFL) 49:28

70+ 1. Frances van Blerk (Nedbank) 57.42; Claudette McLean (Mercury) 1:10:18; Serene Netshiaulu (RAC) 31:11:38

From 16 to 30:50: Tayla Kavanagh makes history

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By Adnaan Mohamed

At 16, Tayla Kavanagh began her journey over 10km. Nine years later, the South African star has stormed through the 31-minute barrier, turning a teenage running chapter into a history-making triumph.

Every great running story begins somewhere. For Tayla Kavanagh, it began at 16, with the 10km distance stretching ahead like an open road and a future waiting to be discovered.

Nine years later, the 25-year-old Hollywood Athletics Club Purple Elite star has made that same distance her own, obliterating the South African women’s 10km road record with a sensational 30:50 at the Brasov Running Festival in Romania on Sunday.

The stopwatch blinked. The record book trembled. South African athletics had a new landmark.

“I’m incredibly proud and it feels really special,” Kavanagh said after slicing 22 seconds off the previous national record of 31:12.

“I knew I wasn’t that far off the record previously so I came into the race with the mindset of running as fast as I could today. So breaking the record felt extra special and it was an absolute privilege to get the opportunity to line up and race against a world-class field.”

Her performance made her the first South African woman to break the 31-minute barrier over 10km. She finished fifth in a quality international field, clocking a time that will echo through the country’s distance-running community long after the finishing-line tape has fallen silent.

Kavanagh also shredded her previous personal best of 31:26 by 36 seconds. For an elite distance runner, that is a sizeable leap, the equivalent of finding another gear when the engine is already roaring.

And the timing was extraordinary.

Only 15 days earlier, she had rewritten the South African women’s 5km road record with 14:51 at the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen. Two national road records in barely a fortnight have turned her 2026 campaign into a purple patch of historic proportions.

“2026 has been a dream year come true for my running career,” she said.

“I’m so incredibly happy. I’m incredibly happy with my performance and I’m really proud of myself for putting myself in the race and racing competitively with the international ladies.”

The breakthrough has been years in the making. Earlier this season, Kavanagh claimed South African titles over 5 000m and 10 000m. Her 14:58.52 over 5 000m made her only the third South African woman to break the 15-minute barrier.

She has shown grit on the roads, too. At the Hollywoodbets Durban 10km in August, an early fall threatened to derail her race. She picked herself up, found her rhythm and stormed to victory in 31:39, setting a course record.

In Brasov, she took that momentum and put the national mark through the wringer.

Her record-breaking run also raises an exciting question: how much faster can she go as she continues to test herself against the world’s best?

For now, the woman who began running 10km as a teenager is ready to trade racing shoes for recovery time.

“Breaking the SA record today means a lot to me,” she said. “I’m proud with what I have achieved, I’ll now be taking an offseason which I’m really looking forward to, for not just a physical, but also a mental break.”

She was equally quick to acknowledge the team behind her progress.

“I’m always so thankful for the support, encouragement and cheers I receive from my Hollywood Athletics Club. It’s incredibly motivating to have so much support behind you and it really does go a long way in helping you feel valued and appreciated.”

From her first 10km miles at 16 to a record-smashing 30:50 at 25, Kavanagh has travelled a remarkable road. Her latest performance is a milestone built on years of work, belief and the courage to chase a faster finish.

The teenager who once took on 10km has become the woman setting the pace for South Africa. The road ahead is wide open, and the stopwatch may yet have more surprises in store.

Two Oceans 2027: Beat the clock before race day

Adnaan MohamedEvent Update!, Features, News, Totalsports Two Oceans MarathonLeave a Comment on Two Oceans 2027: Beat the clock before race day
By Adnaan Mohamed

Thousands of Totalsports TWO OCEANS MARATHON powered by BYD hopefuls are pounding the roads, chewing up kilometres and dreaming of glory on Cape Town’s famous 56km route.

But there is another race nobody can afford to lose.

The race against the clock.

For ballot winners targeting the 2027 Two Oceans Ultra and Half Marathon, missing a crucial deadline could turn months of sweat, sacrifice and training into a cruel calendar casualty.

The organisers have issued their warning.

Ultra runners have until midnight on 7 March 2027 to submit a qualifying race. Half Marathon runners have until midnight on 28 February 2027 to submit an official seeding time.

And there will be no sprint down the admin straight after the chequered flag.

Ultra hopefuls must complete an official qualifying race between 1 May 2026 and 7 March 2027.

Totalsports TWO OCEANS HALF MARATHON powered by BYD PHOTO CREDIT Chris Hitchcock

A standard 42.2km marathon must be completed in under five hours, while longer races must satisfy the applicable Two Oceans qualifying standard.

The race must be officially measured and timed, with the distance meeting Athletics South Africa and World Athletics measurement standards.

In other words, runners cannot rely on a GPS watch having a bad day or a race organiser’s creative approach to kilometres.

For Half Marathon runners, the magic numbers are 10km, 15km and 21.1km. An official time from one of those distances must be submitted by 28 February 2027 to ensure correct seeding.

Chris Goldschmidt, Chairperson of the Two Oceans Marathon NPC, urged runners to get their ducks in a row.

“Race Day is the culmination of months of preparation, and we want to make sure that runners have all the information they need to prepare with confidence,” he said.

Wade Bromfield, Event Director, was equally clear: “Please don’t leave it until the last minute.”

The 2027 running festival kicks off with the 8km Night Run on 31 March, followed by the 4.5km International Friendship Run on 1 April and Trail Run on 2 April.

Totalsports TWO OCEANS HALF MARATHON powered by BYD PHOTO CREDIT Chris Hitchcock

The Half Marathon fires on 3 April, followed by the big one, the 56km Ultra, on 4 April, both finishing at the UCT Rugby Fields.

So runners, lace up, check the diary and get moving.

Because on this particular race, the first finish line is paperwork.

Miss it, and the mountain may never get the chance to break you.

The deadline could do it first.

Miss the date, Miss the start!

Official submissions are made through the Totalsports TWO OCEANS MARATHON website.

Adam Lipschitz smashes Gun Run record as Irvette van Zyl makes winning return after seven years

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By Adnaan Mohamed

Adam Lipschitz turned pre-race confidence into a record-breaking performance at the OUTsurance Gun Run Half Marathon, while Irvette van Zyl marked her return to the race with a convincing victory.

Lipschitz had made no secret of his ambition before Sunday’s 21.1km race, arriving in Cape Town determined to attack the course record.

The Social Runners Club KZN athlete delivered on that promise, winning in 1:02:21 and taking down the previous record held by Hollywood Athletics Club’s Joseph Seutloali.

Lipschitz, who won the Gun Run 10km in 2025, controlled the early stages with a series of fartlek-style surges before making the decisive move with about 19km remaining.

The acceleration proved decisive as he broke clear of his rivals and maintained his momentum to the finish.

Seutloali finished second in 1:02:53, with Hollywood teammate Tsépo Ramashamole completing the podium in 1:03:13.

Former Gun Run 21.1km winner Lloyd Bosman of Nedbank Running Club SWD was fourth in 1:03:28, while local athlete Anthony Timoteus finished fifth in 1:04:06.

For Lipschitz, the performance also provided valuable race-specific preparation as he continues building towards the marathon distance.

Irvette Van Zyl returns in style

The women’s race produced another significant performance as Irvette van Zyl returned to the Gun Run Half Marathon after a seven-year absence and claimed victory in 1:14:03.

The 39-year-old Hollywood Athletics Club runner finished nearly three minutes clear of defending champion and clubmate Busisiwe Chamane, who crossed the line in 1:17:24.

Former Gun Run champion Fortunate Chidzivo of Nedbank Running Club WP was third in 1:18:23.

Van Zyl said the conditions and altered route made the race challenging.

“Today’s race was a bit tough. It was really humid because yesterday it rained,” she said.

She also had to adapt to a course that had changed significantly since her previous appearance in 2019.

“There’s a lot of up and down sidewalks and we had a bit of a cobblestone stage we actually run on,” Van Zyl said.

A two-kilometre hill also disrupted her rhythm.

“I would have hoped to run closer to 73, but I just couldn’t get my rhythm going the first 12-ish kilometres,” she said.

Her race improved after the climb, when she returned to the road and later reached the promenade.

“Overall I’m happy with today and happy with the win,” Van Zyl said.

She believes there is scope for a faster performance should she return, having now experienced the revised course.

“Hopefully when I return I can run faster than that, because then I will know what is ahead.”

The Hollywood weekend had already produced a strong result in Saturday’s 10km, where veteran Stephen Mokoka, 41, won in 29:36.

Hollywood AC veteran Stephen Mokoka won the Gun Run 10km on Saturday on debut.

Awethu Ntsotho of Athletes Academy in Boland was second in 29:49, while Eersterivier AC junior Beautin Van der Westhuizen finished third in 30:02.

Russian-born Stellenbosch-based athlete Olga Firsova, 43, won the women’s 10km in 35:17, ahead of Yandiswa Shange (38:12) and Nadia Turton (39:08).

For Lipschitz, the Gun Run provided a record to celebrate. For Van Zyl, it offered a successful return and a glimpse of faster days ahead.

CLICK HERE FOR ALL YOUR GUN RUN 2026 RESULTS:

Image Credits: OUTsurance Gun Run and AAC

Hollywood Athletics Club stars headline Gun Run

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By Adnaan Mohamed

Irvette van Zyl returns to the OUTsurance Gun Run this weekend after a seven-year absence, with the four-time Olympian targeting another fast performance on the Cape Town course where she produced one of the event’s most notable runs.

Van Zyl will contest Sunday’s 21.1km Half Marathon, while fellow Hollywood Athletics Club athlete Stephen Mokoka lines up in Saturday’s 10km, where the 41-year-old veteran enters as one of the leading contenders.

Van Zyl’s last appearance at the Gun Run came in 2019, when she won the women’s half-marathon in 1:12:11.

That remains the second-fastest women’s time in the race’s history, behind Elana van Zyl’s 1:10:55 course record set in 1999.

The performance was particularly impressive given that Van Zyl had undergone significant surgery earlier that year before returning to top form.

Seven years later, she is looking forward to tackling the course again.

“I’m quite excited,” Van Zyl said.

“This is the first time I will be back running it since 2019. I knew I wanted to go back but never had the chance. So yeah, just excited everything worked out this year that I can go and run it.”

The 30-year-old knows the course well and remains fond of its combination of challenge and scenery.

“I like the route. It has a bit of a tough hill in it and yeah, it’s just nice views running it and it’s almost a great atmosphere running in Cape Town and going through C point at the finish.”

Van Zyl has set herself a realistic target rather than chasing her 2019 performance at all costs.

“I’m hoping for close to that time that I did run in 2019. So anything under 73 I’ll be very happy with, but the weather also has to play with. So we’ll see.”

For the South African marathoner, the significance of her return extends beyond the stopwatch.

“But yeah, I’m just excited to be healthy and be running and just be back after seven years of absence and really looking forward to it.”

While Van Zyl will be chasing another strong performance over 21.1km, Mokoka will be aiming to make an immediate impact on his Gun Run debut.

The former South African 10km record holder boasts a 27:38 personal best, recorded in Manchester in 2015, as well as a 59:36 half-marathon best and a 2:06 marathon personal best.

His longevity remains one of the defining features of his career. Mokoka is a four-time Olympian and has represented South Africa at five World Championships.

His 2026 season has also demonstrated that his speed remains intact, including a sub-29-minute performance at the Hollywoodbets Durban 10km.

Last year’s Gun Run 10km winner, Adam Lipschitz, has moved up to the half-marathon this year, where he will target the course record.

That leaves Mokoka as the leading name in the 10km field, although several Cape Town-based athletes will be hoping to disrupt his winning plans.

The weekend therefore offers Hollywood Athletics Club two experienced international performers with very different objectives.

For Van Zyl, it is a long-awaited return to a course where she has already left her mark.

For Mokoka, it is an opportunity to add a Gun Run victory to an already decorated distance-running career.

The stopwatch will settle the argument.

Joburg 10K set for Heritage Day takeover

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By Adnaan Mohamed

Thousands of runners will storm the streets of the City of Gold on Thursday, 24 September, turning Heritage Day into a spectacular Joburg 10km takeover.

The sold-out Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K will unleash a stampede of running shoes onto Lilian Ngoyi Street from 08:00, with the M1 and M2 highways transformed into a giant sporting playground before the finish on Rahima Moosa Street.

For one morning, Joburg’s legendary hustle will have a new soundtrack: thousands of pounding feet, screaming spectators, pumping music and the thunder of a city celebrating its heritage.

Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K by Tobias Ginsberg

This is road running with a Mzansi twist.

The route will be crammed with entertainment, cheer zones and sponsor activations from Absa, PUMA, Powerade, AVIS and Heineken, creating a colourful carnival designed to showcase the diversity, history and unmistakable swagger of Johannesburg.

Stillwater Sports managing director and Series founder Michael Meyer says the race will offer runners a different view of the metropolis.

“We’re excited to bring thousands of runners together in Johannesburg on National Heritage Day for what promises to be a fantastic celebration of running, culture and community.”

Meyer says the energy of the route, entertainment and spectators will create an atmosphere that is uniquely Joburg.

Absa Head of Sponsorship Jabulile Nsibanyoni says the event will turn the streets into a moving celebration of South African identity.

“At Absa, we are passionate about creating memorable experiences that bring communities together, and this event is a true reflection of that commitment.”

She says the entertainment has been carefully curated to celebrate Joburg’s rich heritage and cultural traditions.

“Both participants and spectators can look forward to a dynamic showcase of performances reflecting the warmth, diversity, and energy Joburg is known for.”

Then comes the speed trap.

Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K by Charles Ndou

PUMA Run Train Marketing Manager Rae Trew-Browne says the Heritage Day edition has a personality of its own.

“Every Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series event has its own personality, and Joburg’s Heritage Day edition promises to be particularly special.”

The PUMA Speed Zone will add another turbocharged dimension to the race.

“It’s a chance for every participant to embrace their own version of TOO FAST while enjoying the incredible atmosphere that makes the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series so special,” says Trew-Browne.

The stakes are already high after a sizzling 2026 series.

Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K by Charles Ndou

Adriaan Wildschutt won Gqeberha in 27:47, Joshua Cheptegei blitzed Durban in 27:19 and Salem Kibet conquered Tshwane in 28:45. Kenya’s Brenda Jepchirchir won Gqeberha in 30:15, while Doreen Cherop claimed victories in Durban and Tshwane in 30:43 and 31:35 respectively.

Cape Town’s 10K was cancelled because of a severe weather forecast.

Now Joburg gets the spotlight.

And on Heritage Day, the City of Gold will not be walking.

IT WILL BE RUNNING!

For further information please visit https://runyourcityseries.com/

Sosibo ready to turn up the heat in Tshwane

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By Adnaan Mohamed

Cacisile Sosibo is no longer knocking politely on the door of South African road running. She is kicking it open, one kilometre at a time.

The 28-year-old Boxer Athletics Club speedster heads into Sunday’s Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K with her eyes firmly fixed on a top-five finish, carrying the kind of confidence that can make even Pretoria’s notorious hills look like speed bumps.

Sosibo has enjoyed a sizzling 2026 campaign, lowering her 10km personal best to 32:16 at the SPAR Women’s Grand Prix Durban leg in June and dipping under 32:45 three times this season.

Then came Durban.

She clocked 32:36 to finish sixth in a quality international field at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K, a performance that gave her belief and plenty of bite.

“Durban was amazing for me this year. I ran a PB at SPAR and got a top-six finish at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K, which gave me a big confidence boost,” said the KwaZulu-Natal-born runner, now based in Soweto.

Her legs have been talking loudly ever since.

On Sunday, she ran 34:01 for third at the Totalsports Women’s Race Joburg, less than 24 hours after winning the senior women’s 10km title at the Central Gauteng Cross Country Championships.

That is some serious mileage in the bank.

Sosibo knows what it feels like to mix it with the best. At the 2023 World Road Running Championships in Riga, Latvia, she finished 10th in the half marathon in a personal best 1:09:31.

Now, under the watchful eye of legendary coach Michael ‘Sponge’ Seme, who has also guided four-time Olympian Stephen Mokoka, she believes the old magic is returning.

“Things have been going well for me this year. I feel like the Cacisile who was competing back in 2023. I’m coming back slowly but surely.”

Tshwane, however, is ready to collect its toll.

The hilly, high-altitude route can chew up ambitious runners like a hungry school of piranhas. Sosibo knows a personal best may be asking for too much.

“Tshwane is a tougher course with hills at altitude, so I’m not expecting a PB. My target is to race smart and run with the lead pack for as long as possible.”

Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports, believes her Durban performance has changed the conversation.

“Cacisile’s 2026 season has been hugely encouraging, and her sixth-place finish in Durban showed that she can compete with a strong international field,” Meyer said. “We’re looking forward to seeing her build on that performance in Tshwane.”

The race is sold out, with the gun going at 08:00 from Stanza Bopape Street in Arcadia.

For Sosibo, the mission is clear: climb with courage, conserve the fuel and unleash the finishing kick when the road finally points home.

Her comeback may be labelled “slowly but surely”.

On Sunday, she will be hoping it looks anything but slow.

Boxer Super Run Durban 2026: Pick Your Wave

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By Adnaan Mohamed

The Boxer Super Run Durban is giving runners something increasingly precious in road running: a choice.

When the fourth edition hits Snell Parade and Blue Lagoon Park on Sunday, 18 October, the 5km race will offer four distinct start waves, allowing participants to decide whether they want to chase the clock, chase good times or watch South Africa’s fastest feet turn the beachfront into a blur.

The formula is simple, and perhaps that is the secret of its appeal.

The Open Wave fires off at 07:00, providing the competitive launchpad for club runners, school teams, serious athletes and anyone with a personal best rattling around in their head.

Then comes the Super Social Wave, running from 08:00 to 09:30, where the stopwatch takes a back seat and personality moves to the front of the pack. Families, friends, colleagues, charities and costumed crews can walk, jog and laugh their way through the 5km.

“The beauty of the Boxer Super Run is that every participant can choose their place on the start line,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports.

“From runners chasing a personal best in the Open Wave and groups bringing the energy in the Super Social Wave, to the country’s top athletes battling for the Elite titles, each wave brings its own excitement and makes the Boxer Super Run a truly inclusive 5km experience.”

That inclusivity is the race’s biggest strength. Five kilometres can be a gentle introduction to road running or five kilometres of controlled suffering for an athlete hunting every available second.

Boxer Super Run by Anthony Grote

“The 5km distance makes this event accessible enough for someone taking on their first run, while still providing a genuine test for experienced athletes,” says Lee-Ann Pillay, Head of Marketing at Boxer Superstores.

“It is incredibly rewarding to see such a diverse group of people come together, each with their own reason for being there, but all united by the same 5km journey.”

At 09:45, the mood changes gear when the elite women take centre stage. The elite men follow at 10:00, turning the final act into a high-octane sprinting spectacle.

For the elite athletes, five kilometres is hardly a Sunday stroll. It is a knife-edge dance where a misplaced stride can cost seconds and a well-timed surge can blow the race wide open.

Pillay believes the four-wave structure captures the spirit of the event.

“With four distinct waves offering four very different ways to experience race day, the Boxer Super Run continues to demonstrate that 5km running is for everyone, whether you’re chasing the clock, chasing a personal milestone or simply chasing a great day out.”

The 2026 event costs R100, is open to entrants aged nine and older, and includes a performance T-shirt, goodie bag, timing chip and finisher’s medal. Entries opened on 6 August and, according to the supplied event information, are now sold out. The official Boxer announcement confirms the 18 October date and the four-wave structure.

The starting line may have four doors, but the destination is the same: a memorable 5km through Durban.

Some runners will chase glory. Some will chase a PB. Others will chase their friends.

All will be chasing the finish.

Xaba puts the hammer down in Joburg

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By Adnaan Mohamed

Glenrose Xaba saved her sharpest kick for the closing kilometres, powering to a commanding 32:11 victory at the Totalsports Women’s Race Joburg at Marks Park, Emmarentia, on Sunday.

The South African turned a demanding 10km into a tactical game of patience, pace and positioning, picking her moment before putting daylight between herself and the chasing pack with about two kilometres remaining.

It was a performance built for the hill

Xaba had initially planned to shadow Kenya’s Brenda Kenei, who arrived with a 30:29 personal best and ambitious sub-30:30 intentions. The Joburg elevation and rolling route soon exposed where the race could be won.

“I saw a post that there would be a lady aiming for sub-30:30, and I said I would go with her. I knew the course was tough, but I would try my best to stick with her,” Xaba said.

“The beginning was hard because she was pushing, but I tried my best to keep the pace. I noticed that when it came to the hills, she was not as strong, so I tried to close the gap on the downhills so that when we approached the hills, I could stick with her. I think the plan worked for me.”

It certainly did.

With the final climbs looming, Xaba shifted gears and turned the race into a solo pursuit.

“I think it was two kilometres to go when I broke away from her. I knew that when we got to one kilometre to go, we were going to climb again.”

Her reward was a second victory of the year and another confidence boost ahead of the World Championships.

“It feels amazing to cross the finish line first. I think it’s my second win of the year, so I am very happy. It shows that my training is going well. I am focusing on the World Champs, so when I come to a race, I am coming with a full programme.”

Top Three: Brenda Kenei, Glenrose Xaba and Cacisile Sosibo. Photo’s Tobias Ginsberg

Kenei finished second, with South African Cacisile Sosibo third.

Xaba’s victory also put a distinctly local gloss on a series increasingly becoming a meeting point for South African talent and international challengers. Durban went to Lesotho’s Neheng Khatala in 32:06, while Kenya’s Daisilah Jerono won Cape Town in 31:29.

Stillwater Sports managing director Michael Meyer praised the Joburg finale and the thousands of women who helped turn the series into a national celebration.

“The Totalsports Women’s Race Joburg was the perfect culmination of this year’s three-race series,” Meyer said.

Totalsports head of marketing Nikki Crous echoed the sentiment, saying women across Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg had created “three truly memorable race days”.

With Busiswa providing the soundtrack and PinkDrive remaining central to the campaign, the series finished with plenty of colour, community and running shoes pounding the pavement.

Xaba supplied the final flourish.

Joburg had its champion. The 2026 Women’s Month racing relay had its perfect finishing kick.

RESULTS – TOP 10 / Totalsports Women’s Race Johannesburg 2026 10km

Date: Sunday 16 August 2026

Start Time: 08:00

Start Venue: Judith Rd at Orange St intersection

Finish Venue: Orange Road and Buffalo Road Junction, Marks Park

Top 10 Elite Field

1 Glenrose Xaba (South Africa) 32:11, 2 Brenda Kenei (Kenya) 32:28, 3 Cacisile Sosibo (South Africa) 34:01, 4 Irvette Van Zyl (South Africa) 34:23, 5 Emma Pallant-Browne (Great Britain) 34:44, 6 Karabo Mailula (South Africa) 35:02, 7 Dikeledi Majara (Lesotho) 35:41, 8 Carina Swiegers (South Africa) 37:04, 9 Cornelia Joubert (South Africa) 38:19, 10 Maria Shai (South Africa) 39:06

GET YOUR FULL RESULTS HERE: