Gqeberha, Eastern Cape: The Boxer Athletic Club runner clocked a fast 31:57 to breast the finish tape first ahead of surprise package Tyala Kavanagh (32:01) of Hollywood Athletics Club. Ethiopia's Diniya Abaraya, running in the green colours of Nedbank Running Club, completed the podium positions in 32:04.
Glenrose Xaba Winner Gqeberha : South African running ace, Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) successfully defended her SPAR Grand Prix Gqeberha title on Saturday 27 September 2025 when she won the 10km race in 31.57. The win in Gqeberha secures Xaba the overall 2025 SPAR Grand Prix title, the first South African black woman to win the Grand Prix title three times.Xaba has now won all the four races in the 2025 Grand Prix Series to hold on to her title with one more race – next weekend's Johannesburg leg - to spare as she enjoys an unassailable 115 points. She becomes the first black athlete to win the SPAR Grand Prix three times having also reigned victorious back in 2018. Xaba adds her name on that stellar list which includes her compatriots Rene Kalmer, Irvette Van Zyl as well as Namibia's Helalia Johannes and Tadu Nare of Ethiopia.
On a morning perfect for good running in the Windy City, Xaba lived up to her billing as favourite by starting on the front foot and looking fresh after opting to skip Wednesday's Absa RUN YOUR CITY Joburg 10K.
Her usual nemesis Selam Gebre and her compatriot Diniya Abaraya stuck with her in the initial stage and history suggested the former would be her main competition. For a while it looked like the podium positions were decided as the trio enjoyed the lead. But having recently competed at the Buenos Aires Marathon where she finished in fourth place, Gebre struggled to keep up as Xaba injected the pace.
Top three finishers Gqeberha : South African running ace, Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) leads Ethiopian Diniya Abaraya (Nedbank) and Tayla Kavanagh (Hollywood) at the 7km mark of the SPAR Grand Prix Gqeberha on Saturday 27 September 2025. Xaba won the 10km race in 31.57 ahead of Kavanagh (32.01) and Abaraya (32:04).Resplendent in what is now becoming her trademark white cap, the athlete nicknamed ''SuperCharge'' injected some pace into her run and that was all she wrote – the race was over as a contest, at least for the first spot.
Kavanagh dug deep to sneak into second spot ahead of Abaraya.
Speaking at the post-race media conference, Xaba's delight at having sealed, yet another Grand Prix title knew no bounds – particularly given that she was not feeling well.
"I was not 100 percent. My body was not responding well," she said "The course was very fast. Last year I ran a course record. Today I did 31 high because my body was not responding well. I tried my best to push my pace, but I could not push much. But I told myself, 'Let me keep the pace' and then in the last three kilometres I said, 'let me give myself a push'."
And push she did to register a victory that will see her swelling her bank balance by a cool R200 000 for winning the overall Grand Prix prize.
The Gqeberha SPAR Women's Challenge was a sell-out 5000 runners with one lucky entrant Nomandla Lunguza of Kariega, Uitenhage drawn to win a Hyundai EXTER. SPAR in partnership with Hyundai have given away five Hyundai EXTER vehicles this season.
"At Hyundai Automotive South Africa, we believe excellence comes in many forms. Whether you are a leading the race or simply showing and giving it your all. That is why we are proud to be part of the SPAR Women's Challenge, where every woman out there is a winner in her own right," said Stanley Anderson, CEO of Hyundai Automotive South Africa.
"Accordingly, the SPAR Women's Challenge alignment with the Hyundai EXTER is aimed at highlighting this vehicle's strength. It is built to handle life's daily demands with ease and flair. Just like the event itself, the Hyundai EXTER is as versatile and vibrant as the women who inspire us every day."
The final let of the SPAR Grand Prix will take place on Sunday morning, 05 October 2025 at marks Park Sporting Club in Emmerentia, Johannesburg.
Spar Grand Prix Results: Gqeberha
Results of the SPAR Grand Prix women's 10km race held in Gqeberha on Saturday, 27 September 2025.
Open: 1 Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) 31:57, 2 Tayla Kavanagh (Hollywood) 32:01, 3 Diniya Abaraya (Nedbank) 32:04, 4 Karabo Mailula (Tuks) 32:43, 5 Selam Gebre (Nedbank) 33:02, 6 Karabo More (Boxer) 33:15, 7 Cacisile Sosibo (Boxer) 33:47, 8 Carina Swiegers (Boxer) 35:47, 9 Nicola Wills (Boxer) 35:56, 10 Lizandre Mulder (Kovsies) 36:10
U20: Chanell Groenewalt (Boxer) 38:16, 2 Hlengiwe Nkosi (Madibaz) 39:32, 3 Abbie Mitchell (Madibaz) 41:25, 4 Ilke Wolmarans (Elite) 47:03, 5 Entle Komani (Kowie) 48:50
40-49: 1 Janie Grundling (Peak) 37:03, 2 Nerida Lubbe (Nedbank) 39:20, 3 Ntombesintu Mfunzi (Nedbank) 42:38, 4 Cindy Marais (Charlo) 43:50, 5 Natascia de Ridder (Elite) 48:23
50-59: 1 Elizabeth Potter (Boxer) 39:42, 2 Janene Carey (Boxer) 42:23, 3 Davera Magson (Nedbank) 45:33, 4 Liezl van Zyl (Nedbank) 46:32, 5 Burinta Strydom (Run 4 Christ) 46:54
60-69: 1 Judy Bird (Boxer) 41:42, 2 Grace de Oliveira (Maxed Elite) 45:13, 3 Christine Claasen (Nedbank) 46:41, 4 Lelanie Cornelius (NA) 49:39, 5 Johanette Oosthuizen (Body Concept) 50:44
70-79: 1 Margie Saunders (Nedbank) 45:06, 2 Rozetta Kemp (Run 4 Christ) 56:30
