Glenrose is ‘Supercharged’ for Cape Town’s SPAR Grand Prix season opener

Glenrose ‘Supercharge’ Xaba has steadily risen to the top of South African distance running over the past decade, currently holding national records over 10km and the marathon and having surpassed her role-model, Elana Meyer, over both distances.

Xaba has enjoyed outstanding success on the SPAR Grand Prix circuit, the country’s premier women’s 10km road series, and when she triumphed in the high-profile five-city 10km series last year, she joined an elite group of just three other runners who have won the title on three occasions.

Rene Kalmer, Irvette van Zyl and Ethiopian Tadu Nare are the other three to have done so and Xaba has her sights set on becoming the first athlete to win on four occasions.

“The SPAR Grand Prix has become very important to me,” said Xaba, who has flourished under the coaching mentorship of Violet and Caster Semenya. “I’m feeling strong and looking forward to achieving good results in 2026.”

“I am very proud to be the first black South African to have won (the SPAR Grand Prix) three times. I hope my achievements are an inspiration to young girls living in poverty as I was, who see what I have done and believe they can do the same.”

Visa challenges have prevented Ethiopian athletes Salem Gebre and Diniya Abaraya, runners-up in Cape Town in 2025 and 2024 respectively.  In their absence several leading South Africans have the ability to make Xaba work hard for victory.

While Karabo Mailula, also part of the Semenya stable who finished third in last year’s Cape Town leg, and Durban’s Tayla Kavanagh look best placed to challenge Xaba, don’t discount evergreen Irvette van Zyl, who is also in line for a fourth series title this year.

Xaba’s Boxer teammates, Karabo More and Cacisile Sosibo, will also challenge for podium positions.

The Cape Town race is the first of the five races that make up the SPAR Grand Prix. The others are in Durban, Tshwane, Gqeberha and Johannesburg. 

Prize money for the SPAR Grand Prix has been increased to a whopping R2 mil. The overall winner will take home R210 000, the second-placed runner R105 000 and the third placed runner will receive R80 000.  Prize money for the age categories has also been increased, with the overall winner receiving R11 000 and the runner-up R8 000.

In addition, there are incentives for the top five South African runners, with the top South African receiving R110 000, and the second R75 000.  The fifth placed South African will take home R21 000. This is in addition to the money they win in the main competition. 

Not only will the Open category be competitive, but the other age group categories (Juniors, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 plus) promise to deliver top times.

Defending SPAR Grand Prix junior champion, Chanel Groenewald (Boxer) will be favourite in the junior race.

Local running star Anne Stewart (Atlantic AC) will be hoping to cross the line first for the second consecutive year in the 50-59 category but will be challenged by 2026 series winner Elizabeth Potter (Boxer).

Judy Bird (Boxer) is favourite to defend the 60+ title but will be challenged by 70+ world and South African record holder Margie Saunders (Nedbank).

The Cape Town SPAR Women’s Challenge starts in the shadows the iconic DHL Stadium and the 18 000 – strong field will enjoy spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and Robben Island as the run the long flat straight alongside the Sea Point Promenade. They will also pass the Green Point Lighthouse on their way to the finish at the Green Point Common fields.

The race gets underway at 06h45 on Sunday.

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