Xaba to take on Region 5 Marathon as stepping stone to year-end half marathon in Hong Kong

Glenrose Xaba will use the 10km race at Sunday’s Region 5 Marathon in Pretoria as a stepping stone towards her season-ending half marathon in Hong Kong. The four-time SPAR Women’s Grand Prix champion will contest the 10km at the sixth edition of the Region 5 Marathon, which returns to South Africa’s capital city for the second consecutive year. Xaba, who clocked 32:10 to win the inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K on 25 October told #TheTopRunner that her participation at the event which uses road running to promote regional unity in Southern Africa, is less about chasing another victory and more about laying the groundwork for her Asian assignment.

“The Region 5 Marathon on Sunday is the start of my half marathon preparation. I’m going to run very easy in the 10km because in the following weeks, I will be going to Hong Kong for a half marathon. It’s going to be my first time there. I’m looking forward to getting a great experience and running a good time,” said Xaba who was the only South Africa woman to win an Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series race this season.

Xaba in action at the Istanbul Half Marathon in April where she set her 1:07:03 PB. Photo Credit: Supplied.

The 11-time SA champion who races in the colours of Puma when she competes overseas, has enjoyed a productive international season. She set a half marathon personal best of 01:07:03 at the Istanbul Half Marathon in April before finishing 10th in 32:20 at the prestigious Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race in the United States in July. Xaba subsequently clocked 01:07:49 to take 13th position in the half marathon at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen last month.

Although her expectations for the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge Half Marathon are modest, South Africa’s fastest female marathoner of all time (2:22:22) who boasts a 31:16 10km season’s best, believes the international exposure will strengthen her competitiveness while helping her inspire the next generation of local top runners.

“It’s the way my coach and I planned it. I need to run at home and internationally because I must gain experience, especially internationally,” said the Boxer Athletic Club ace who is coached by Violet Semenya. “International competition is also important because I get exposed to the level of the elites internationally - that’s how I’m going to get stronger and more competitive. It’s also going to help me bring that experience back home to inspire others to do well,” she said.

Namibia's Daniel Paulus on the way to victory at the 2025 Region 5 Half Marathon. Photo Credit: Tumelo Mabua.

The Region 5 Marathon takes place on Sunday 1 November at the Union Buildings in the City of Tshwane. Last year, the event featured competitors from both able-bodied and disable athletes Malawi, Eswatini, Namibia and South Africa. Karabo Mailula won the women’s 10km, while Stephen Mokoka claimed the men’s title. Irvette van Zyl and Namibia’s Daniel Paulus won the respective women’s and men’s half marathons, each earning R50 000.