Glenrose Xaba will be the favourite to win back-to-back titles in Sunday’s Cape Town Spar Women’s 10km Challenge, as well as to defend her Spar Grand Prix crown. Visa complications for Ethiopia’s top contenders have reshaped the landscape of Sunday’s race, opening the door for an all-South African podium battle and handing defending champion Glenrose Xaba a golden opportunity to launch her historic title bid in style.
Last season’s Grand Prix runners-up Diniya Abaraya and third-placed Salem Gebre will both miss the series opener as both runners were unable to secure clearance letters and visas, dramatically shifting the balance of power in the opening race. Their absence not only removes two of the most consistent challengers from the field, but also paves the way for local stars to dominate the podium in what is now shaping up as a fiercely contested domestic showdown along the Atlantic Seaboard.
Spar Grand Prix History
For Xaba, the changed field presents a chance to make an early statement in her pursuit of a record-breaking fourth Spar Grand Prix title — a feat that would see her stand alone in the competition’s history. She currently shares the record of three series wins with Rene Kalmer, Irvette van Zyl and Ethiopia’s Tadu Nare, as outlined on the Athletics South Africa website.
“The Spar Grand Prix has become very important to me,” said Xaba. “I am proud of what I have achieved and I hope it inspires young girls from backgrounds like mine to believe they can do the same.”
Strong Local Field
While the spotlight will firmly be on the defending champion, the Boxer Athletics Club star is unlikely to have it all her own way. Rising star Karabo Mailula, veteran Van Zyl, and Hollywood Athletics Club pair Tayla Kavanagh and Cacisile Sosibo are all poised to capitalise on the absence of the Ethiopian contingent. Mailula finished third in last year’s race in a time of 33:33, behind Xaba (33:13) and Gebre (33:18), and is happy with her preparations for this year’s series opener.
Some key facts about the Spar Grand Prix include:
- A total of 5 races will be held across South Africa, with stops in Durban, Tshwane, Gqeberha and Johannesburg.
- A lucrative R2 million prize purse is on offer across the series.
- The Spar Grand Prix is one of the premier road running events in South Africa, attracting top athletes from around the country.
Evergreen Irvette van Zyl, a former three-time Spar Grand Prix champion, is among the potential front runners at Sunday’s race. Xaba’s training partner Karabo More adds further depth to a competitive local field, while Olympic champion Caster Semenya will again test herself over the 10km distance after an encouraging debut last year.
With a strong start in Cape Town, Xaba could prove hard to catch in the rest of the series, according to the road running community.
