Glenrose Xaba takes home half a million at Spar Women’s 10km Awards

Xaba pocketed R215 000 for winning all five 10km road races in Cape Town, Durban, Tshwane, Gqeberha, and Johannesburg, and earned an additional R300 000 bonus and 10 bonus points to take her total to 120 points on the overall leaderboard.  

After receiving her prizes, Xaba told SABC Sport that her next major target is to break her own national marathon record at the Valencia Marathon next month.

"My year went very well, according to the way I was expecting because I expected to maintain the standard I gave last year, so I can say I achieved that standard," said Xaba.

"Because I told myself at the beginning of the year that I want to defend my [Spar Women's Grand Prix] title, and God answered me, I've defended my title.

"I also got extra bonus for winning five out of five [races], and being the first black woman to win the Grand Prix – that means a lot to me, I achieved the goals and maximised them.

"So now I still have a bigger goal to break the records, as I've started to already – now I'm looking forward to breaking my SA record in the 42km in Valencia, and that will complete my season to make it 10 out of 10."

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The 30-year-old said her preparations for her second marathon in Valencia are going smoothly and she feels ready for the challenge on international soil. 

"My preparations for Valencia are going so well so far, I can't complain about anything because the support is there for me – from my physios, coach, and recovery at Power2Health have all been there and make sure that I get the support I need.

"They have kept my body fit physically and mentally because the marathon takes a lot, and it's very hard, and if you see that Comrades is very hard, marathons are also very hard to prepare for – it needs you to be more focussed and mentally healthy."