Twenty-four-year-old Durban athlete, Tayla Kavanagh, upset pre-race favourite and defending champion, Glenrose Xaba, in a thrilling climax to the SPAR Grand Prix 10km Series opener at Green Point, Cape Town this morning (Sunday 29 March).

18 000 runners and walkers took part in one of Cape Town’s most popular annual events, many making use of perfect cool and calm conditions to achieve their own personal goals. The traditional route included a three-kilometre circuit around the Cape Town Stadium precinct before an out and back loop along the Sea Point Promenade.

Kavanagh, the current national 10km road champion, was one to take advantage of the conditions, racing to a life-time best of 31 min 33 sec, eight seconds inside her previous fastest and just 21 seconds outside Xaba’s South African record.

“I woke up this morning and thought, oh my goodness, it’s such a beautiful day for racing,” said Kavanagh. “I hoped I would be able to make the most of the conditions and I’m very happy to have raced a PB”.

Although Zola Budd ran 32:20 as a 17-year-old before she raced for Great Britain, only Xaba, Elana Meyer and Colleen de Reuck have ever run faster than Kavanagh’s winning time and none of them at so young an age. The future looks bright for the Durban athlete, with higher honours beckoning.

Kavanagh and Xaba turned the event into a two-horse race from as early as the second kilometre and the two were five seconds clear of local favourite, Kyla Jacobs, and Xaba’s Boxer teammate, Karabo More.

Gauteng-based Boxer athlete, Cacisile Sosibo, was on her own in fifth, with another pair from the Boxer Athletics Club, Zanthe Taljaard and Carina Swieger running with and Tuks athlete, Karabo Mailula, a further ten seconds back.

Kavanagh held onto Xaba throughout the race before making her move just a kilometre from the finish. Xaba was equal to the challenge but when Kavanagh surged again 400 metres from home there was no response and she raced home to a five second victory.

Jacobs was delighted with her 32:16 in third, an impressive personal best over a minute inside her 32:59 in Durban in 2023. Back to her best after injury and giving birth to her daughter, Jacobs has joined the elite club of nine South Africans who have run inside 32:20 for the distance and is knocking on the sub-32 minute door.

More and Sosibo both ran personal bests in taking 4^th and 5^th respectively in 32:34 and 32:42 with Xaba’s training partner in the Caster and Violet Semenya camp, Karabo Mailula, 6^th in 33:28.

Evergreen Irvette van Zyl, in training for the Two Oceans Ultra-Marathon next month, showed impressive speed to make up several positions in the second half to finish 7^th.

Xaba admitted she had hoped Kavanagh would have helped with the pace earlier on. “If she had worked with me on the pace, I think we would have run even better times. But I’m very happy with the result and it shows the standard in South Africa is improving. Well, done to Tayla. She did so well and I’m proud of her.”

Kavanagh planned her race tactics to give her the best chance of winning. “I knew Glenrose likes to take it out hard from the start. So I thought I’d just try to hang-in as long as I could,” Kavanagh reflected.

“I thought, if I could just get to 9km with Glenrose, I’d have a chance. So I put in a surge (at 9km) but she came right back at me.

“I felt I still had something in my legs as we approached the final corner, about 500m from the finish.  I pushed again and managed to open a small gap. I told myself not to just keep going and not look back, fully expecting her come past again. But she didn’t and I was very happy to win.”

Since emerging as a leading junior five years back, when she raced to a stunning 32:10 win in a Durban 10km race as a teenager, with Xaba finishing fourth, Kavanagh has been struggling with injury and her form.

“I had a few years when I struggled with injury and not running so well. Since Glenrose came back from injury in 2022, she’s gone to another level entirely and I’ve just been trying to catch up.

“This year’s gone pretty well so far. We missed the Ethiopians today, but otherwise it was a great race. Glenrose and I really push each other and it felt  good to race her again.

“I’ve been doing some track work and my goal is to run the 5000m and 10 000m at SA Champs at Stellenbosch. I’m not sure about other road races yet, although I will likely come back in May to defend my Cape Town Peace 10km title.”

Results:  SPAR Grand Prix Cape Town

1 Tayla Kavanagh (Hollywood) 31:33

2 Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) 31:38

3 Kyla Jacobs (Boxer) 32:16

4 Karabo More (Boxer) 32:34

5 Cacisile Sosibo (Boxer) 32:42

6 Karabo Mailula (Tuks) 33:28

7 Irvette van Zyl (Hollywood) 33:43

8 Zanthe Taljaard (Boxer) 34:23

9 Carina Swiegers (Boxer) 34:47

10 Elizabeth Hutamo (Boxer) 35:09

Juniors

1 Chanel Groenewald (Boxer) 37:17

2 Ruby Read (Atlantic) 39:35

3 Kezia Matthysen (Nedbank) 41:29

Masters: 40 years

1 Este van Tonder (Nedbank) 37:20

2 Elme Middlemost (Nedbank) 38:05

3 Michelle Minnaar (West End) 39:11

Masters: 50 years

1 Elizabeth Potter (Boxer) 38:46

2 Nerida Lubbe (Nedbank) 39:07

3 Janene Carey (Boxer) 39:30

Masters: 60 years

1 Judy Bird (Boxer) 41:03

2 Dalene Sonnekus (Nedbank) 42:44

3 Ester Brink (Balwin Strand) 43:07

Masters: 70 years

1 Margie Saunders (Nedbank) 44:24

2 Nancy Will (Pinelands) 48:27

3 Charmaine Cupido (Nedbank) 52:46

Masters: 80 years

1 Marietha Herbert (Bellville) 1:02:25

2 Marlene James (Pinelands) 1:14:29

3 Annatjie Berntzen (Goodwood Harriers) 1:36:47

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Early bird registration for the 2026 Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon is now officially open, offering runners a discounted opportunity to secure their place in one of the fastest growing international sporting events.

The fifth edition of the marathon, set to take place on August 22 in Kasese, is already attracting significant local and global interest just a week after registration opened, with organizers confirming entries from runners across several countries by press time.

Under the early bird offer, Ugandans and other East African Community (EAC) citizen, including those from Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda, can register at a fee of UGX 50,000, while international participants pay USD 50.

These discounted rates will run until July 1, 2026, after which standard registration fees of UGX 60,000 for EAC residents and USD 60 for international runners will apply.

Registration is currently ongoingvia rwenzorimarathon.com/registration

Sandra Againe, Tusker Lite Brand Manager, said the launch of early bird registration is intended to give runners ample time to prepare for the event.

“We are encouraging runners to take advantage of the early bird window not just for the cost benefit, but also to give themselves enough time to train and prepare adequately for this unique marathon experience,” Againe said.

Againe added that the brand has remained committed to growing Uganda’s running culture year-round through various Tusker Lite Runs held across the country, initiatives designed to build a strong and active community of runners.

The Tusker Lite Mt Rwenzori Marathon, which sold out last year, continues to build on its international appeal, having attracted participants from 36 countries in the previous edition, with organizers expecting even broader global representation this year.

As part of its international activation campaign, the marathon is making appearances at major global running events.

A recent engagement at the Kilimanjaro Marathon in Tanzania featured a shake-out run and on-site registration.

Additional activations are scheduled at the Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town on April 11, the London Marathon on April 26, and the Comrades Marathon in Durban on June 14.

At each of these events, the organizing team is collaborating with international running influencers, hosting expo booths, and leading pre-race community runs aimed at boosting visibility and engagement.

The organizers are also working closely with Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate activations with Ugandan embassies in host cities.

Now officially listed on the World Athletics Calendar and having attained Label Race status, this year’s event is expected to deliver greater impact and international recognition.

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Mbarara City is set to come alive this Saturday, 28 March 2026, as over 1,000 runners converge at Mugaba Palace in Kamukuzi for the second edition of the Tusker Lite-powered Mbarara City Marathon.

Combining sport, culture, and tourism, the event promises a vibrant showcase of endurance and heritage in western Uganda’s famed “Land of the Long Horns.”

The race will highlight the rich traditions of Ankole, famously associated with its iconic long-horned cattle, while guiding runners through scenic routes across Mbarara’s rolling landscapes and urban landmarks.

Participants are expected from across the country and beyond, including runners from various running clubs that regularly take part in the Tusker Lite Runs.

Athletes will compete across four race categories: the 42km full marathon, 21km half marathon, 10km race, and a 5km fun run.

Dickens Friday Kaka, CEO of the Mbarara City Marathon, expressed confidence in the preparations and the quality of this year’s event.

“We are fully prepared to host a successful and memorable second edition of the Mbarara City Marathon. The routes have been carefully designed to meet international standards while showcasing the beauty and culture of Mbarara. From logistics to runner experience, everything is in place to ensure safety, excitement, and a world-class event for all participants,” Kaka remarked.

Beyond the races, Tusker Lite is set to inject its signature lifestyle flair into the marathon through a Neon Rave experience, adding an entertainment dimension to the sporting event.

Auditions for the rave were held in Mbarara last week, with six dance crews- Ice Breakers Dance Crew, TYG Dancers, Project Shadow Dancers, Eagle Dancers, The Mob Dancers, and K2 Dancers, earning spots to perform at the main event.

Sandra Againe, Tusker Lite Brand Manager at Uganda Breweries Ltd, noted that the brand is leveraging its experience from the Tusker Lite Mt. Rwenzori Marathon to elevate the Mbarara event.

“The Tusker Lite Mt. Rwenzori Marathon, which is marking its fifth edition this year, has given us valuable experience and insight. We are now bringing that energy and expertise to the Mbarara City Marathon. Tusker Lite is all about encouraging people to live active, social, and fulfilling lives. We want to fuel experiences that celebrate individuality, progressiveness, and vibrant social energy,” Againe said.

The entertainment lineup will feature live performances from DJs and emcees including DJ Mercy Pro, DJ Banx, and MC Shukuran, among other acts.

Registration for the marathon remains open at a fee of UGX 60,000, which includes a customised event T-shirt.

Participants can pick up kits in Mbarara at Mugaba Palace (Kamukuzi), Nyakayojo SACCO (opposite UEDCLTD), and Mbaine J Sports Centre (BNK Building, Kabale Road), while in Kampala, collection is at Caltec Academy opposite Makerere University Western Gate.

The Mbarara City Marathon is part of the activities lined up for the Explore Ankole expedition organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities.

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