Xaba targets third straight SPAR Grand Prix victory in Tshwane
She won the first two legs in Cape Town and Durban.
All eyes will be on defending champion and current SPAR Grand Prix leader Glenrose Xaba when the annual women’s 10km road running series makes its third stop of the 2025 season at the SPAR Women’s Challenge Tshwane at SuperSport Park in Centurion on August 2.
Xaba, the reigning Grand Prix champion, leads the 2025 standings after victories in the first two legs held in Cape Town in March and Durban in June.
The Boxer Athletics Club standout has since extended her fine form by winning the South African half-marathon title for the sixth time at the Foskor Half-Marathon in Phalaborwa on July 26.
She clocked 1:10:03, breaking the course record previously held by former world record holder Elana Meyer.
“This gives me more confidence and I’m looking forward to having a good race in Tshwane because I want to keep my SPAR Grand Prix title,” Xaba said after defending her national title.
“I want to motivate black athletes, women and upcoming runners to know they can achieve anything. The SPAR Grand Prix series is where I started as a road runner. I love the SPAR women’s only races, so winning it again will motivate not only me but other athletes as well.”
Elite contenders
Though Xaba enters as the favourite, she faces a strong elite field in Tshwane.
Ethiopian athlete Selam Gebre (Nedbank) is only three points behind Xaba in the overall standings and will be aiming to take the lead with a win.
Other top-10 contenders include Karabo Mailula (Tuks), Diniya Abaraya (Ethiopia, Nedbank), Cacisile Sosibo, Zanthe Taljaard, Lebo Phalula, and Carina Swiegers (all from Boxer), who are also entered and looking to close the gap.
Additional elite runners to watch include marathoner Cian Oldknow (Hollywood), veteran athlete Kesa Molotsane (Kovsies), and Olympic 800m gold medallist Caster Semenya (Masai).
Other categories
In the age group categories, a few athletes will be looking to build on their dominance from the first two races.
Lebo Phalula, who is also ninth overall in the open standings, has been outstanding in the 40–49 age group and will be the clear favourite for a third straight win.
Judy Bird (Boxer) will be targeting another victory in the 60+ division, while Wiepke Schoeman (Boxer) is expected to lead the junior category once again.
In the 50–59 division, the race is tighter. Anne Stewart (Atlantic) holds a narrow four-point lead over Elizabeth Potter (Boxer), and both will be on the start line in Tshwane. A close contest is expected.
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