2025 SPAR Grand Prix Champion Xaba to race Lisbon Half Marathon as she eyes World Marathon Major debut

After winning the 2024 SPAR Grand Prix title, Glenrose Xaba lined up in The Friendly City this morning (27 September), knowing that a win in this penultimate 10km race of five could be enough to secure her the overall title and a R200 000 prize purse. The 31-year-old Boxer Athletic Club top runner clocked 31:57 to win the SPAR Grand Prix Gqeberha ahead of Tayla Kavanagh (32:01) and Ethiopia's Diniya Abaraya (32:04). Reflecting on her performance, Xaba described 2025 as one of her best seasons saying it’s all part of a bigger plan as she continues her transition towards becoming a full fledged marathoner.

"Although this is one of my best years ever, it is still not as good as last year. I did very well because by this time last year I had already broken the SA 10km record (31:12). I think I can only call it my best after running two races she said," hinting at the standard marathon and 21km races that she will tackle before bringing and end to her 2025 season.

Because the Nedbank Running Club's Selam Gebre could only manage fifth position, Xaba now holds an unassailable lead atop the leaderboard ahead of next weekend's final SPAR Grand Prix race in Jozi. It means that the top runner who is coached and mentored by the pair of Caster and Violet Semenya, successfully defended her Grand Prix title to become the first South African to win two SPAR Grand Prix crowns since international athletes were allowed to compete in 2019.

"I love to take part in SPAR because it's where my running started. So even next year, I would like to come back and do a few races. I won't do as many 10km's as I did this year because I will be focusing on half marathons ahead of the World Half Marathon Champs next year, while also looking towards major marathons because I need to start taking part in major marathons."

But perhaps more exciting than her dominant victory at the SPAR Grand Prix Gqeberha, was Xaba's revelation that she has been invited to run in the prestigious Lisbon Half Marathon on 25 October. The reigning Sanlam Cape Town Marathon champion who smashed the SA marathon record on the way to a memorable 2:22:22 triumph last October just three months after breaking Elana Meyer's longstanding 10km record, confirmed that she will not be able to defend her title in The Mother City because she has been invited to race one of the fastest 21km races in the world where she has designs on Elana Meyer's 1:06:44 national record.

"I'm looking forward to give my best and running close to my SA Record when it comes to the 42km. My wish is to run 2:19. I have a half marathon in Lisbon at the end of October so that it can sharpen me for that marathon. I’m feeling very excited to get that invitation because it shows that my hard work and dedication is working for me. I'm looking forward to having a great race and return with a personal best around 68 or 67 minutes. 66 minutes would be a bonus for me. My wish is to break the SA Record so I can have all the records set by my role model Elana Meyer."