3 wins in 3 days for AGN & Motsepe Champ Xaba who clocks fastest 10 000m time ever run by SA woman at altitude

Glenrose Xaba closed off her remarkable racing weekend on cloud nine, with a third victory in as many days. Her impressive streak of weekend victories began with the 10 000m crown at the Athletics Gauteng North (AGN) U16, U18, U20, U23 & Senior Track & Field Championships at the Pilditch Athletics Stadium on Friday 13 March. 

Xaba clocked 31:56.65 at over 1300m above sea level to win by more than a minute from training partner and Boxer Athletic Club teammate Karabo Mailula (33:34.05) in what was the fastest 10 000m time ever run by a South African woman at altitude. Then less than 24 hours later, the 31-year-old collected another gold medal, this time in the 5000m where she produced 15:20.00 which was the second fastest clocking of her career and 31 seconds clear of silver medalist Karabo More (15:51.34). 

"I ran very well at the AGN Championships. I did my seasonal best. This shows that my fitness is on point this year. I am expecting good things from myself. I think I will deliver good performances for my supporters. I am still going to decide if I will be going to the SA Championships or if I will just continue with my training, but I would love to represent my province," she explained. 

The eMbalenhle native's final victory of the weekend came on Sunday (15 March) morning at the Motsepe Race to Equality at the University of Pretoria when she successfully defended her 2025 title. The wet conditions didn't deter Xaba from breasting the tape to win the 10km race in 34:16. Following Supercharge across the finish line at the University of Pretoria was her Boxer teammate, More in 34:57 while Kenyan, Sophy Masai finished third in 35:28.

"I am very happy but the race was hard because we are coming from the Championships," Xaba told #TheTopRunner. "The legs are still tired but I tried my best because I wanted to show up and support the Motsepe Foundation as it also supports us as women. It means a lot to me to be able to defend my title, I am so grateful because this was not an easy race, it had lots of hills and turns. So being mentally fit helps. You can be physically fit but if you're not mentally fit, you won't go anywhere."

Meanwhile, just two days after taking the Central Gauteng Athletics 5000m title in a dramatic sprint finish, Kabelo Mulaudzi won the men's 10km race in 29:58 he was closely followed by Thabang Mosiako who finished the race in 30:01 with Stephen Mokoka taking the bronze medal in 30.03. Both Xaba and Mulaudzi pocketed R20 000 for winning the 10km events.

The Boxer AC dominated the women's half marathon podium with Cacisile Sosibo winning in 1:16:08 two days after winning the CGA 10 000m title in 34:49.54, while her Boxer teammate Karabo Mailula finished in 1:16:12 with Kenya's Winny Biwott taking the third position in 1:16:18. Joseph Koech, Onalenna Khonkhobe and Bennet Seloyi finished in the top three in 1:05:03, 1:05:07 and 1:05:23, respectively, rounded the men’s half marathon podium.