Local athlete gets a step closer to Spar Grand Prix title

Glenrose Xaba took another step towards securing her second SPAR Grand Prix title when she won the Gqeberha SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge in 31:22 on Saturday.

Ethiopian junior Diniya Abaraya was second in 31:33 – the world’s 13th fastest time by a junior. Her compatriot, defending SPAR Grand Prix title holder Tadu Nare, was third in 31:48.

Running in almost perfect conditions on a cool morning, Xaba, Nare and Abaraya surged ahead from the start and, at about the 3km mark, were nearly half a kilometre ahead of the rest of the pack.

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Xaba broke away at about 7.5km, leaving the two Ethiopians running together. Nare appeared to take some strain, finishing 15 seconds behind her teammate.

Carina Viljoen, usually a 1 500m track runner, surprised everyone when she powered into fourth place in 33:10.

Two former SPAR Grand Prix winners, Diana Lebo and Lebogang Phalula, now running in the 40- to 49-year category, showed they are still contenders by finishing in eighth and 10th place, respectively.

“I had a good race today,” said a smiling Xaba. “Tadu, Diniya and I pushed hard from the start.

“I planned to lead from the start and aimed for a sub-32 time. I had hoped to break my national record of 31:12, but I am happy with my race.”

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Nare said she had made history by finishing in the top three so soon after running a marathon.

“I ran 42km last weekend, and normally, I should rest for two months after a marathon.

“My coach pushed me to run, and I am happy to be in the top three seven days after that marathon. I don’t see it as having lost the race today – I feel as if I had won,” said Nare.

Some 5 200 runners participated in the Gqeberha leg of the SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge and 5km Fun Run.
The final leg of the 2024 SPAR Grand Prix series will run in Johannesburg on October 6.