Glenrose Xaba falls short of national record after finishing fifth at Absa Durban 10K
Road Running
Glenrose Xaba finished fifth at the Absa Run Your City Durban 10K on Sunday morning in a time of 31:50. Photo: Kevin Sawyer
Image: Kevin Sawyer
Glenrose Xaba was unable to reach her target of breaking the national 10km record at the Absa Run Your City Durban 10K on Sunday morning, yet still managed to dip below 32 minutes as the first South African home in the elite women’s race.
The in-form Boxer Athletics Club star finished fifth, behind a quartet of Kenyan runners, in a time of 31:50.
The women’s race was won by Claire Ndiwa in 30:50, with Janet Mulungi second (30:53) after a thrilling sprint finish. Early frontrunner Jesca Chelangat was dropped in the final kilometre and had to settle for third (30:58), while Rebecca Mwangi came home fourth (31:13).
Clare Ndiwa of Kenya crosses the finish line first at the Absa Run Your City Durban 10K on Sunday morning.
Image: Anthony Grote
Much of the pre-race hype focused on Xaba’s attempt to better her national record of 31:12, set at last year’s event. However, she blamed changes to the course layout for her inability to do so.
“The pace was okay at the beginning, or first kilometre, but when we reached 6km the course changed too much. There were lots more hills than last year,” she said at the finish on the promenade at Sunkist Beach.
“Last year’s course was fast, but this year it was very challenging because there are many climbs. Three climbs take a lot off the speed – four climbs, actually. It’s not that course we were expecting from last year. They said it’s fast, but it’s a bit tough.”
Still, the time was an impressive one from South Africa’s current 10km queen, who dipped under 32 minutes for the third time this year. It also marked a notable improvement on the 31:54 she clocked at the SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge in Durban on 22 June.
Absa Durban 10K elite women’s race winner Clare Ndiwa (centre) is flanked on the left by third-place finisher Jesca Chelangat, and runner-up Janet Mutungi on her right.
Image: Action Photo
Asked what it would take to get closer to her record, Xaba said: “A course that is flat from start to finish, with no climbs. If the course was like last year, all of us were going to run very good times, but I think we slowed down.”
The multi-talented 30-year-old was also chasing ranking points in her bid to qualify for the track 5 000m and 10 000m events at the World Championships in Tokyo in September.
“I think this race won’t be good for my ranking,” she admitted.
“It was very tough for me. My legs were not responding well in the last 3km. If my legs were responding well, I think I would have run faster.”
Xaba refused to blame fatigue from a busy race schedule.
“I don’t feel that tired. I’m basing my training more on mileage than speed. My legs just couldn’t cope when it came to the hills. I think the hills affected me. I’m used to running flat,” she said.
She is now hoping to secure more 5 000m races to improve her strong ranking in that event, as she feels better placed to qualify for the World Championships in the shorter distance than in the 10 000m.