Xaba dreams of national record after going sub 32 to move up to third on SA All-Time 10km list

Despite the dominance of Ethiopians Tadu Nare (31:26) and Selam Gebre (31:37) who claimed first and second spot respectively during yesterday's Durban leg of the SPAR Grand Prix, South Africans were left to celebrate a brilliant performance by Glenrose Xaba. The 28-year-old ran a splendid time of 31:55 to settle for the third position the much-loved 10km women's race. By so doing, Xaba became only the fourth SA woman behind Dominique Scott (31:59), Collen De Reuck (31:26) and Elana Meyer (31:13) to dip under 32 minutes over the distance as she moved up to third on the All-Time SA 10km list.

The Boxer Athletics Club top Runner also sliced 17 seconds off her personal nest as she improved on the 32:12 clocked during the Gqeberha leg of the SPAR 10km series last month. Speaking to #TheTopRunner, the woman affectionately known as SuperCharger expressed her delight at how well she ran despite not feeling well in the first half of the race.

Glenrose Xaba is in the form of her life after improving on her 10km PB thrice in 2023. Her she leads Lesotho's Blandina Makatisi on the way to her first sub 32 minute clocking at the Durban leg of the SPAR Grand Prix. Makitisi was fourth in a new PB of 32:18. Photo Credit: Rogan Ward.

"I'm very happy with the way I ran today. At the start of the race, I was struggling a bit and my body wasn't responding at all. I tried my best to stick with the leading group though. The race was fast from the beginning. In the second half of the race, I improved a lot in order to finish strong. Overall, I'm happy that my running keeps on improving whenever I race. I think in the end, the most important thing is the improvement and more good results will come," said elated Xaba.

The woman who is coached by Caster Semenya after being groomed by the legendary Michael Seme is in the form her life this year. Yesterday's run eThekwini was the third time that she has improved on her 10km lifetime best in 2023. And earlier this month she smashed her h21km PB when she broke 69 minutes for the first time on the way to taking second place at the Nelson Mandela Bay Half Marathon. She says her wish is to own at least one national record one day.

Xaba says soon South African woman will be able to challenge the Ethiopians. Here Ethiopia's Tadu Nare (Nedbank) leads the front pack at the 3km mark of the 2023 SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge in Durban on Sunday, 25 June 2023. Nare, is followed by fellow Ethiopian, Selam Gebre (Nedbank), Blandina Makatisi (Maxed Elite) of Lesotho and Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) of South Africa. Picture Credit: Rogan Ward

"I think South Africans have to be patient with us going forward. Its not like we enjoy being beaten by Ethiopians all the time. Better performances will come. Today's race was a great indicator that I can run faster. My biggest goal going forward is to hold of the SA record either 10km or 21km. I'm a huge fan of Elana Meyer so to emulate her achievements would be great," she smiled.