"I've got the rhythm and momentum" - New PB for More at Cape Town SPAR

Even though her run was overshadowed by the controversy that erupted at the finish line when Tayla Kavanagh secured a narrow victory (31:33) over Glenrose Xaba (31:38) resulting in the latter initially refusing to hug her opponent moments after crossing the finish line, Karabo More’s performance at the first leg of the 2026 SPAR Grand Prix suggests she has an excellent 10km season ahead. 

The 23-year-old clocked 32:34 to finish just 18 seconds behind third placed Kayla Jacobs in a new lifetime best. Speaking two weeks earlier after grabbing second place (34:57) behind Xaba at the hilly Motsepe Race for Gender Equality at the University of Pretoria, More knew she was ready to produce a personal best.

More also performed well during the 2025 Totalsports Women's Race in Cape Town. Photo Credit: Gavin Ryan.

“My plan for Cape Town is to run a PB. I know I can. I have the potential to do so. The Motsepe Race to Equality was just the start of where I am going, there is improvement. It was just a good start for the 10km races. I got the rhythm and momentum,” she said.

More’s positive start to the five-race SPAR Grand Prix leaves her in fourth position overall and in line to improve on the sixth position she took at the end of the 2025 series for which she earned a total of R80 000 - R30 000 and R50 000 for finishing in sixth and being the third South African overall. In all, the prize money for the Grand Prix has been increased to a whopping R2 million this year with the overall winner taking home R210 000, while the second-placed and third placed competitors will R105 000 and R80 000 respectively. 

More chasing her training partner and mentor Xaba during the Boxer Super Run. More has been inspired by Xaba. Photo Credit: Anthony Gröte.

Xaba who is the defending Grand Prix champion after a historic run, winning all five races in the series will now be in a two-horse race against Kavanagh for the 2026 title. More, who also competes for the Boxer Athletic Club, says training alongside SuperCharge is the source of motivation she needs to deliver her best SPAR Grand Prix performance yet.

“She always reminds us that we have worked hard. Always before a race, I panic and I cry and she always says I should calm down. Her presence makes me feel safe and seen. She assures me that I am going to start and finish the race strong, having her is like motivation to start the race and even finish it because what you do at training  is what you do on race day. I can’t compare, I am not yet there (at her level) but I can say one day I will get there. If she can do it, so can I,” explains More.