Glenrose Xaba once again showed her class when she blazed through the Jozi SPAR Women’s 10 km Challenge winning her fifth consecutive race in the highly popular sold-out event across the country.
After winning the Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria and Gqeberha legs of the 2025 Spar Grand Prix Series, Glenrose stormed across the finish line at Marks Park Sports Club on Sunday morning in Emmarentia over a toughy hilly course. She blitzed the route in 33:07 to leave her rivals trailing in her wake.
Ethiopian Diniya Abaraya (Nedbank) clocked 33:42 for second, while Irvette van Zyl (Hollywood) claimed third in 34:35.
The evergreen Van Zyl,38, came out of the blocks like a bullet, setting the early tone before easing off and letting the race settle. That’s when Xaba hit her stride.
She went shoulder-to-shoulder with Abaraya and her compatriot Selam Gebre, until the six-kilometre mark, when she broke free like a sprinter pulling clear on the final bend.
Glenrose Xaba and Irvette van Zyl surrounded by a trio of Ethiopian athletes. Photo: Greg Caldecott
“Irvette got us to a very fast start, and I am grateful for that. Then Selam and Diniya forced the pace until about four kilometres,” said Glenrose.
“From six kilometres, I just focused on my splits and on my own running,” she said.
“I am very happy to be the first South African to win all five SPAR Grand Prix races this year, and to have won the SPAR Grand Prix for the third time.”
Five SPAR victories in one season, three Grand Prix titles overall, was a clear reminder that Glenrose Xaba is setting the benchmark for women’s road running in South Africa.
Abaraya, showing strong form after a year of consistent improvement, admitted the Jozi route was no walk in the park.
“I had a good race today, although I found the hills very challenging,” she said.
Van Zyl, meanwhile, was thrilled to be back in the mix. Her trademark grit shone through even after a shaky buildup.
“I went into the race with no expectations. I felt horrible yesterday and even wondered if I would be able to run. I just wanted to do my best.”
A veteran of the series and a three-time Grand Prix champion herself, Van Zyl credited Xaba for elevating the competition.
“Glenrose has given everyone the belief that they can do better, and I think the international athletes will soon struggle to win the SPAR Grand Prix again,” said Van Zyl.
Further back in the field,Gerda Steyn, South Africa’s ultra marathon marvel, treated the 10km as a tune-up for the upcomingSanlam Cape Town Marathon on Sunday, 19 October. Despite experiencing an injury setback that threatened her participation in the race, she still pitched up to finish in 11th position.
“I love the vibe and the experience of running in a women’s only race. I find lining up with thousands of other women inspirational.”
Gerda Steyn at the finish of the Spar Jozi 10k Photo: Adnaan Mohamed
That energy was everywhere with 12,000 women pounding the pavement in the 10km Challenge and 5km Fun Run, turning the streets into a celebration of strength and solidarity.
Among those cheering was Deputy Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Peace Mabe, who praised SPAR for championing women’s sport and social causes.
JOHANNESURG, SOUTH AFRICA – OCTOBER 05: during the 2025 SPAR Womens Grand Prix 10km Challenge and 5km Fun Run at Marks Park Sports Club on October 05, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Reg Caldecott/Gallo Images)
“It’s only through sponsorship that women’s sports will flourish,” she said.
“I would like to congratulate SPAR for their support for women’s road running and netball, but also for their campaigns to end gender-based violence and period poverty.”
Christmas, New Year and Valentine’s Day have come and gone, and the thoughts of many are turning to the road – not driving, but road running.
The 2025 SPAR Grand Prix series get underway on Sunday, March 30, when thousands of women will take to the streets of Cape Town for the SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge and 5km Fun Run.
The Cape Town race is the first of the five races making up the SPAR Grand Prix series, in which Africa’s elite and experienced runners compete for valuable points. The winner of the SPAR Grand Prix will take home R200 000. The runner-up will receive R100 000, and the third placed athlete will win R75 000. This, of course, is additional to the substantial prize money for each individual race.
The South African woman with the most SPAR Grand Prix points will receive an additional R100 000, the second placed South African R70 000 and the third placed South African R50 000. Junior runners will once again be eligible for an overall prize, with the results of three races counting. The top junior will win overall prize money of R10 000.
As part of an exciting development for this year’s SPAR GRAND Prix series, the SPAR Group is pleased to announce Hyundai Automotive South Africa as the new national vehicle sponsor of the series.
“Women empowerment is an integral part of Hyundai Automotive South Africa’s business philosophy and has been central to our growth and success. From across our country-wide dealerships right up to the organisation’s leadership, our female employees continue to lead and guide, in turn, contributing towards the broader social progress – through the Hyundai brand experience,” states Gideon Jansen van Rensburg, CEO of Hyundai Automotive South Africa.
As part of enhancing its customer-centric experience, Hyundai strategically partners with like-minded organisations that share its business principles, which are anchored amongst others, on gender equality and empowerment.
“It is therefore our firm view that running and driving a Hyundai vehicle, are intertwined. The SPAR Grand Prix series is therefore a natural match as it affords us an opportunity to attract potential customers through sport. The series remains one of the important events in the South African sporting calendar and we look forward to a long-term and mutually beneficial association,” added Jansen van Rensburg.
As well as the substantial prize money on offer, Hyundai is giving away five Hyundai Exter vehicles, each valued at R269 900 at five of the eight SPAR Women’s Challenge’s taking place this year. The winner of the Hyundai vehicle must be over 18 and hold a valid driver’s license.
In 2024, Glenrose Xaba became the first South African to win the award since it was opened to international runners in 2019. Xaba, who won the title in 2018, when it was limited to domestic runners, is hoping to become the fourth person, after Rene Kalmer, Irvette van Zyl and Ethiopian Tadu Nare, to win the prestigious title three times.
“Winning the SPAR Grand Prix has been a dream and a goal that I’ve had for many years,” said Xaba.
“And to have won it twice is a career highlight for sure. To be referred to as a defending champion is surreal. “For South African women, this opens the path again for us to fight to keep winning this series because we are more than capable of doing so. “I thank SPAR for taking care of women athletes through this series not only financially but also because being able to compete in a women’s only race is terrific for us women,” she said.
“This year, I aim to remain injury free and have a healthy season. I look forward to running the SPAR Grand Prix series again and fighting for that top spot.”
The athletes’ top four performances count towards the SPAR Grand Prix, which means it is possible for runners to miss one of the races because of injury or international commitments and still be eligible to win top honours.
SPAR National PR, Communications and Sponsorship Manager, Mpudi Maubane, said the group was thrilled to be launching the 2025 SPAR Grand Prix series and looking forward to a year filled with fun activities and growth of our athletes. The SPAR Women’s Challenges are more than just road races, they are a powerful symbol of female empowerment, health promotion and the fight against inequalities. By participating, women are not just investing in their wellbeing but also contributing to a brighter future for all women in South Africa.
“Furthermore, each race is linked to SPAR’s ongoing commitment to ending Gender Based Violence as well as SPAR’s campaign to End Period Poverty by 2030, raising awareness and providing crucial support to organisations working to combat these prevalent issues. This multifaceted approach ensures that the SPAR Women’s Challenges not only promote physical wellbeing but also contribute to a safer and more equitable society for women in South Africa” said Maubane. Therefore, we encourage you to lace up your shoes, join the movement and be part of the SPAR Women’s challenges.
For those unable to attend the races, SPAR is ensuring that everyone can be part of the excitement. Each of the five SPAR races will be livestreamed on the SPAR Grand Prix Facebook page and the Modern Athlete Facebook page, allowing viewers to cheer on the participants and experience the energy of the event from anywhere in the world.
Maubane further thanked Athletics South Africa and Modern Athlete for their continuous support over the years, “we are equally grateful to Hyundai for joining forces this year as the new and official vehicle sponsor of this amazing challenge. With Coke and Powerade coming back for the second year running, we can only hope to grow bigger and better from here onwards’’.
Good news for Discovery Health members is that should they enter and complete the fun run or race; they will earn Vitality points.
Entries for the five SPAR Women’s Challenges are open at www.spar.run .
The other races are in Durban on June 22, Tshwane on August 2, Gqeberha on September 27, and Johannesburg on October 5.
