Glenrose Xaba pleased with result despite losing battle against Ethiopians

Though her wheels came off in the closing stages, local favourite Glenrose Xaba was pleased to have put up a fight against a strong Ethiopian contingent on Sunday at the first leg of the Spar Grand Prix 10km series in Cape Town.

Returning to the road at the back end of the domestic track season, Xaba was leading with around two kilometres remaining but she dropped off the pace and settled for third place.

Tired legs

Six days after setting a 5 000m season’s best of 15:29.72 at the Cape Milers Endurocad meeting, where she took second place behind Kyla Jacobs, Xaba admitted she was still feeling that race in her legs.

“I just felt a bit of fatigue around eight kilometres and the Ethiopians were able to pull away,” Xaba said.

“But my legs were a bit tired after that 5 000m race earlier this week, so I’m very happy with my result and I’m looking forward to the rest of the Grand Prix series.”

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Ethiopian athlete Hiyane Lama stunned the field in the Mother City, securing victory on her 10km debut by winning a sprint finish in horrible conditions.

The race began a little late due to traffic congestion, with the delay allowing runners in the mass field to get to the start on time, and once the elite athletes got going up front, they had to battle through the cold and rain along the beach front.

Late sprint

Lama did not allow any of these obstacles to stand in her way, however, with the 21-year-old athlete edging out compatriot Selam Gebre in a late dash for the line.

She took the win in 33:42 and 20-year-old Gebre, competing in her first season as a senior athlete after dominating the junior division in last year’s Grand Prix series, settled for the runner-up spot in 33:44.

“My plan was to run under 32 minutes, but the weather influenced everything, so I’m happy with the time and my performance considering the conditions,” Lama said.

Xaba was the first South African home, taking the bottom spot on the podium in 34:05, holding off late challenges from fellow South African athletes Kesa Molotsane (34:07) and Cacisile Sosibo (34:09).