By Adnaan Mohamed
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 the World 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 compatriot Faith Cherono headline 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.”
Series founder and Stillwater Sports Managing Director 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.
2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series Dates
- 1 March 2026 – Gqeberha 10K
- 10 May 2026 – Cape Town 10K
- 12 July 2026 – Durban 10K
- 23 August 2026 – Tshwane 10K
- 24 September 2026 – Joburg 10K