Glenrose Xaba out to make history at Absa Run Your City Mangaung 10km

The sold-out race, which has attracted 5,000 runners, will start on Sir George Grey Street at 7 am near the exit of Grey College before finishing at Kings Way in Mangaung.

Xaba made history by winning the inaugural Tshwane leg and is now hoping to repeat the feat in the Free State. 

The 31-year-old is also eager to end the series on a high note after failing to win any of the five races she has contested this year.

Xaba, who is coached by Caster and Violet Semenya in Tshwane, says she is hungry for victory and wants to finish the series with a win. 

With Mangaung hosting its first race in the series, a victory would make the occasion even more special for the Mpumalanga-born runner.

Xaba says she is determined to return to winning ways after previously struggling with injuries that affected her performances.

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Xaba, who holds a personal best of 31:12 set at the Absa Run Your City Durban 10km two years ago, is also hoping to improve her time in Mangaung.

She will be looking to get closer to the South African 10km record of 30:50, set by Taylor Kavanagh, although she admits that running a personal best will depend on how the race unfolds. 

Xaba says racing in Mangaung was not part of her original plans, but her love and respect for the Absa Run Your City series convinced her to take part.

She heads into Sunday’s race in good form after winning the Boxer Super Run 5km in Durban last week for the third time. 

She hopes to carry that momentum into Mangaung and finish the series with another strong performance.