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South African 10km champion Glenrose Xaba has told SABC Sport that she will make a late decision on whether to compete in the upcoming Absa Run Your City Durban 10km in July because of an overseas race scheduled a week after the local event.
The Boxer Running Club star says she does not want to put too much strain on her body after receiving an invitation to compete in a 10km race in Europe.
Xaba believes travelling and racing back-to-back could leave her fatigued, and she wants to avoid over-racing as she prepares for a busy international season.
The 31-year-old multiple national record holder says she feels this is the right stage of her career to compete regularly against some of the world’s best athletes overseas.
Xaba says racing internationally will help her improve and gain valuable experience at the highest level.
The Cape Town Marathon record holder added that competing abroad will also expose her to stronger competition and help her to continue growing as an athlete.
"I'm not saying I will miss the Durban Absa, but it will be possible to miss it. As people we want to grow, you can't stay in the same place the whole time, you have to go there and show what you're capable of achieving, and write your name outside of the country."
Xaba says she is eager to represent South Africa at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow from 23 July to 2 August if selected by Athletics South Africa.
She says she has made herself available for selection in either the 5000m or 10 000m events.
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