"We motivate each other to run faster" - Xaba vs Kavanagh at Absa CAPE TOWN 10K

The Mother City is set to witness South African road running at its finest as Glenrose Xaba, the South African 10km record holder, prepares to take on Tayla Kavanagh, the reigning SA 5000m and 10,000m champion, in an electrifying Clash of the Champions at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K on Sunday, 10 May 2026 - an exhilarating showdown that perfectly captures the surge and strength of women’s distance running in South Africa.

Kavanagh is in sensational form having completed the distance double at the national championships in Stellenbosch last month, producing a dazzling solo 14:58.52 to become only the third South African woman to break the 15-minute barrier.

"Globally women's running is on the rise and it’s exciting to be a part of that in South Africa," she said. "It's exciting to be in a position to run with Glenrose and challenge each other. The competition always helps raise the standards of running."

Barely 48 hours after Tayla's performance at the national championships, Glenrose Xaba - who runs in the colours of the Boxer Athletics Club - lined up at the Istanbul Half Marathon and delivered a remarkable performance, clocking a lifetime best of 1:07:03 to move within 19 seconds of Elana Meyer's South African record. Xaba now boasts the title of second fastest SA female 21km athlete of all time, while also holding the SA marathon record.

Kavanagh is in red hot form in 2025 after winning the 5000m and 10 000m titles at the ASA Senior Track & Field Championships. Photo Credit: Action Photo.

The stage is now set for a true Clash of the Champions - one that has already captured headlines after Kavanagh surged to victory at the Cape Town leg of the SPAR Grand Prix on 29 March, clocking a personal best 31:33 in a thrilling five-second win over Xaba.

"Glenrose and I are really good friends and have a lot of respect for each other, but when we stand on the start line, we are fierce competitors," admits Kavanagh.

Xaba won the 2025 Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K in 32:00 and is hoping that Kavanagh will push her close to her personal best 31:12. Photo Credit: Action Photo.

"When I see Tayla on the start line, I expect a fast and competitive race because Tayla is a quality athlete," says Xaba. "She always brings strong competition, and that pushes me to give my best. We motivate each other to run faster. It's good for South African athletics when we can challenge the East Africans together."

"Moments like this are exactly what the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series is all about," says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder. "To have two world-class South African athletes like Glenrose Xaba and Tayla Kavanagh going head-to-head on home soil is incredibly special. Their rivalry speaks to the depth, talent and momentum we're seeing in women’s distance running right now. It’s not only raising the bar locally, but also showing that South African women can compete confidently on the global stage. Cape Town is in for something truly spectacular."