Tayla Kavanagh stuns Glenrose Xaba to claim maiden Spar 10km crown

Turning out in the colours of Hollywood Athletics Club, Kavanagh produced a career-defining performance, clocking a personal best of 31:33 to edge Xaba, who crossed just five seconds later in 31:38 for Boxer Running Club. 

Completing an all-South African podium, Kyla Jacobs secured third place in 32:16.

A delighted Kavanagh admitted afterwards that her growing rivalry with Xaba continues to bring out the best in her.

"I'm really happy with how things went, me and Glenrose really had a strong run out today. Huge well done to Glenrose we had a good battle out there, I'm really happy to walk away with a PB today,” Kavanagh said. 

“I would say it was a good honest race between me and Glenrose, I love racing her. We always put our good, hard effort out there today. So, I would say all round a good race for me today."

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The 24-year-old Durban-born athlete went stride-for-stride with Xaba for much of the race in a gripping duel that had spectators on edge. 

As they approached the closing stages, it seemed the experienced Xaba had the upper hand—but Kavanagh had other plans.

Digging deep in the final kilometre, she unleashed a decisive surge coming into the last turn, flipping the script and powering to a memorable victory in the dying metres.

"So, about 9km I put on a little surge and then Glenrose came back at me and then I would say pretty much all the way till about that last turn me and Glenrose were pretty much neck and neck,” she added.

“Coming out that last turn I was like okay let's see what's left in the legs and I said, now I still have a little bit left in me, let me push a little bit more. I managed to open a little bit of a gap up and then from there I just pretty much focused on getting to that finish line as fast as possible. 

“So, yeah, very grateful and blessed to walk away with a win today."