Glenrose Xaba fired up for Grand Prix title defence despite early setback

The multiple national record holder saw her five-race winning streak snapped in the opening leg in Cape Town, where Taylor Kavanagh of Hollywood Athletics Club produced a surprise victory.

Instead of allowing the result to dent her confidence, Xaba has turned the result into fuel for the long road ahead.

The Boxer Running Club super star, who has been rewarded with a new bumper two-year contract, is already a three-time joint series winner, sharing that honour with elite names like Tadu Nare, Irvette Van Zyl, and Rene Kalmer.

And with five legs still shaping the outcome — across Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha, Tshwane and Johannesburg — she knows the title race is far from decided.

With R200,000 and the use of a brand-new car at stake for the overall winner, the pressure is high — but Xaba thrives on it.

The next stop is Durban in June, where the 31-year-old is targeting a strong comeback.

“I took that loss as a wake-up call,” Xaba told SABC Sport. “There’s still a lot of racing to go, and it has motivated me even more. I want to win the series again — not just for myself, but to inspire young athletes and show them that anything is possible.”

Back in full training, Xaba is carefully managing her season, which includes major targets like the World Half-Marathon Championships in September and a marathon later in the year. She is also set to line up at the Absa Run Your City event in Cape Town next month as part of her build-up.

“I’m focusing on racing smart and improving with every race. It’s about consistency and making the right decisions,” she said.

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The Durban leg, however, promises to be even more competitive, with Ethiopian runners expected to return after missing the season opener due to visa challenges. For Xaba, that only adds to the excitement.

“I’m really looking forward to racing against them. They always bring out the best in me, and that’s what we need to run fast times,” she added.

With the season still unfolding, Xaba’s title defence is alive — and if anything, stronger than ever.