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South Africa’s road running superstar Glenrose Xaba says she is feeling no pressure to break her own national 10km record of 31:12, which she set in Durban a few years ago, ahead of the Absa Run Your City Gqeberha 10km in Nelson Mandela Bay on Sunday.
The race is set to start at 7am.
The Boxer Running Club senior athlete says her main focus is to enjoy the race and assess the clock when she crosses the finish line.
Speaking to SABC Sport at Friday morning’s press conference, Xaba emphasised that she has nothing left to prove and is looking forward to running freely.
"I don't feel any pressure when it comes to my national record, it will only depend on how fit I am. I'm looking forward to having a great race and competing with the athletes they have brought because they will push us to achieve the goals we've set.
"You can plan according to what you want and train very well, but God always comes first before your plans."
This year’s race boasts the fastest women’s elite start list ever assembled on African soil, featuring Brenda Jepchirchir (sub-30) and Faith Cherono (sub-31).
Their presence could push Xaba to improve on her 31:12 personal best, but she insists she is not intimidated heading into the highly anticipated event.
The national half-marathon record holder says she is using Sunday’s race as part of her build-up towards the upcoming World Half-Marathon Championships and a standard marathon later in the year.
For Xaba, the focus is on strengthening her endurance while continuing to inspire young female athletes across the country.
The national marathon record holder says she plans to capitalise on the strong field assembled by the organisers and put in the hard work to reward herself and her coaches, Caster and Violet Semenya.
"My hopes are to run very well and come race day I will just believe in myself and all the hard work I've put in with my coaches."
