Glenrose Xaba confirms Spar Gqeberha 10km race as history beckons

Xaba is chasing history as she looks to become the most successful Grand Prix winner in the competition’s history. 

She is currently tied on three wins with Ethiopia’s Tadu Nare and South Africans Irvette van Zyl and Rene Kalmer.

After winning the Tshwane leg and finishing second in Cape Town, despite missing the Durban race, Xaba knows she can move clear at the top if she wins in Gqeberha and adds another victory in Johannesburg in October.

Completing a half-marathon and then trying to win a 10km race a week later will be a tough challenge, but Xaba is ready to test herself.

"Definitely yes, I am looking forward to racing the remainder of the SPAR Women's Challenge races. I will be in P.E. for the next one, but it will be challenging because we will be coming from World Champs. After that, I will be doing the 21km, so it will be challenging for me because I will be traveling back. Also, we need to travel after three days, so it will be challenging, but I am looking forward to enjoying the races," said Xaba.

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The marathon record holder is still unsure which distance she will specialise in, as she continues to compete across the 10km, half-marathon and marathon distances.

The 31-year-old is not putting pressure on herself to break her national 10km record of 31:12. 

She believes the record will fall when the time is right.

For now, Xaba’s main focus is on breaking into the top 20 at the World Half-Marathon Championships in Copenhagen.

The Boxer Running Club star has also encouraged young athletes to listen to their coaches and mentors as they work towards building successful careers.