Glenrose Xaba hopes to rewrite SPAR Grand Prix history

Defending champion Glenrose Xaba is hoping to make history this year by becoming the first athlete to win the SPAR Grand Prix for a fourth time and she intends to throw down the gauntlet at the Cape Town SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge at Greenpoint on Sunday.

Missing in Cape Town will be star Ethiopian runners Diniya Abaraya and Salem Gebre who finished second and third on the 2025 SPAR Grand Prix year end standings. The Ethiopians confirmed through their club Nedbank on Monday that they would not be travelling to South Africa for the opening series race as both runners were unable to secure clearance letters and visas.

This opens the door for the South African runners to secure podium finishes and the competition between the elites is expected to be fierce.

The Cape Town race is the first of the five races that make up the SPAR Grand Prix. The others are in Durban, Tshwane, Gqeberha and Johannesburg.

Prize money for the SPAR Grand Prix has been increased to a whopping R2 mil. The overall winner will take home R210 000, the second-placed runner R105 000 and the third placed runner will receive R80 000. Prize money for the age categories has also been increased, with the overall winner receiving R11 000 and the runner-up R8 000.

In addition, there are incentives for the top five South African runners, with the top South African receiving R110 000, and the second R75 000. The fifth placed South African will take home R21 000. This is in addition to the money they win in the main competition.

Over the past 18 years, four runners – Rene Kalmer, Irvette van Zyl, Tadu Nare of Ethiopia, and Glenrose Xaba have each won the SPAR Grand Prix three times. Xaba was the first South African to win the series since it was opened to international runners, and she was the first black South African to win it three times.

She is now aiming to make history again by becoming the first person to win the coveted prize for a fourth time.

“The SPAR Grand Prix has become very important to me,” said Xaba.

“I am very proud to be the first black South African to win it three times. I hope my achievements are an inspiration to young girls living in poverty as I was, who see what I have done and believe they can do the same.”

Xaba said she was feeling good and looking forward to the race in Cape Town.

“I am ready to run my best and I am looking forward to the competition. I just want to achieve good results in 2026,” said Xaba.

Several runners will be hoping to make Xaba work hard for victory on Sunday. These include up and coming Karabo Mailula (Tuks), evergreen Van Zyl and rising star Tayla Kavanagh, both from Hollywood Athletics Club and Xaba’s teammates, Karabo More and Cacisile Sosibo.

Not only will the Open category be competitive, but the other age group categories (Juniors, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 plus) promise to deliver top times.

Defending SPAR Grand Prix junior champion, Chanel Groenewald (Boxer) will be favourite in the junior race.

Local running star Anne Stewart (Atlantic AC) will be hoping to cross the line first for the second consecutive year in the 50-59 category but will be challenged by 2026 series winner Elizabeth Potter (Boxer).

Judy Bird (Boxer) is favourite to defend the 60+ title but will be challenged by 70+ world and South African record holder Margie Saunders (Nedbank).

The Cape Town SPAR Women’s Challenge provides an idea, low altitude route with gentle ascents and descents. In addition to the beautiful backdrop of Table Mountain, runners will start in the shadows the iconic DHL Stadium and enjoy spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and Robben Island as the run the long flat straight alongside the Sea Point Promenade.

They will also pass the Mouille Point and the Green Point lighthouses on their way to the finish at the Green Point Common fields.