Glenrose Xaba left the rest of the field standing as she stormed to victory in the Jozi SPAR Women’s 10 km Challenge at Marks Park Sports Club in Emmerentia on Sunday in 33:07 minutes.
Ethiopian Diniya Abaraya (Nedbank) was second in 33:42 and Irvette van Zyl (Hollywood) was third in 34:35.
Van Zyl shot into the lead at the start of the race but dropped back quickly, leaving Xaba to run with Abraya and her Ethiopian teammate Selam Gebre. But by the six-kilometres mark, Xaba was essentially running on her own.
“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 Xaba.
“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.”
Abaraya said she felt she had improved with every SPAR race she had run this year.
“I had a good race today, although I found the hills very challenging,”: she said.
Van Zyl, who has three SPAR Grand Prix titles to her name, said she was very happy to be back on the podium.
“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.”
Van Zyk said she was amazed at how the bar was raised in the SPAR Women’s Challenge series every year. “Glenrose has given everyone the belief thar they can do better, and I think the international athletes will soon struggle to win the SPAR Grand Prix again.,” said Van. Zyl
Gerda Steyn, winner of multiple Comrades and Two Oceans marathons, finished in 11th place. She is currently preparing for the Cape Town marathon in two weeks’ time and was using the race as part of her speed training.
“I always look forward to the SPAR Women’s Jozi race,” she said.
“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.”
The race was watched by Deputy Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Peace Mabe, who praised SPAR for its support for women’s sports.
“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.”
A capacity twelve thousand runners took part in the SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge and 5km Fun Run
SPAR WOMEN’S 10KM CHALLENGE JOZI RESULTS
Results from the SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge run at Marks Park Sports Club on Sunday
Open: 1. Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) 33:07; 2. Diniya Abaraya (Nedbank) 33:42; 3. Irvette van Zyl (Hollywood) 34:35; 4. Selam Gebre (Nedbank) 34:49; 5. Karabo Mailula (Tuks) 35:04; 6. Karabo More (Boxer) 35:22; 7. Mildred Kinyanja (Nedbank) 35:39; 8. Nyaingiri Kemuntu (Nedbank) 35:41; 9. Olga Firsova (Ind) 36P05; 10 Cacisile Sosibo (Boxer) 36:14
Junior: 1. Taya Pelser (Boxer0\ 39:00; 2. Chanell Groenewalt (Boxer) 39:54; 3. Andrea Steynberg (NWU) 40:04
40-49: 1. Olga Firsova (Ind) 36:05; Elizabeth Chenweno (Nedbank) 38:03; 3. Leilani Scheffe (Boxer) 39:32
50-59 1. Elizabeth Potter (Boxer) 43:05; 2. Salome Cooper (Jeppe Quondam) 43:34; 3. Anne Stewart (Atlantic) 43:44
60-69 1. Judy Bird (Boxer) 43:46; Ezna Flattery (Nedbank) 47:14; 3. Grace de Oliviera (Maxed Elite) 49:19
70-79: 1. Winnie Koekemoer (Team Vitality) 59:59; Annatjie Greyvenstein (Irene) 1:06:33; 3. Joan de Klerk (Run Zone) 1:09:01
