Ethiopian Tadu Nare and Namibian Helelia Johannes have dominated the event, splitting the past five titles between them, while South African runners faced criticism and were labelled underperformers.

Xaba, the last South African to win the title back in 2018, currently leads the 2024 series with 59 points after two races in Cape Town and Durban, and Molotsane believes she can maintain the lead and clinch the R200 000 prize money and brand-new car.

"With the kind of fitness [level] she's currently at, I do believe she can do it because she stands a better chance of winning it, with Tadu missing the first one," said Molotsane.

"So Glenrose has a better chance to show she can actually end that drought of six years without a South African on the first level of the podium.

"But that would need a lot of focus and hard work because consistency is also key, and with middle distance, it's really draining and it's a lot of work that goes into it.

"It's not like you are just doing short distances that are seasonal, but with us, we run from January to January, so for her to keep consistent, it will need a lot of hard work."

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