In-form Xaba does it again

Matshelane Mamabolo|Published 7 months ago

South African long distance sensation Glenrose Xaba put up a tactical masterclass as she crossed the finish line to win the iconic Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K in Tshwane yesterday. Joining her in second-place was Blandima Makatisi , right, and third-placed Neheng Khatala, left. | Rajesh Jantilal

MATSHELANE MAMABOLO

GLENROSE XABA just can’t stop winning, can she?

The Boxer Athletic Club starlet was at it again this weekend, breasting the finish tape ahead of all the other female runners at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K, breaking the course record in the process.

Xaba finished in a pretty good time of 31:51 to register here second win in successive weekends, following her victory at the Totalsports Women’s Race in Johannesburg last Saturday. She was also victorious in the Spar Ladies in Tshwane earlier this month.

Our Rose 🌹

Glenrose Xaba bringing it home in Tshwane.

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📷: Tobias Ginsberg#AbsaRunYourCity #FueledByNITRO pic.twitter.com/87uklfD2rE
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A total of 8 000 runners took part in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K yesterday. The next run will take place in Johannesburg on September 24. | Rajesh Jantilal

The national 10km record holder’s delight at finally winning an Absa Run Your City race understandably knew no bounds, especially as she beat runner-up Blandina Makatisi – the Maxed Elite runner from Lesotho who participated at the Paris Olympics – by a good minute, as well as her compatriot Neheng Khathala, who was third in 33:35.

“I am very happy with today’s win,” she said.

“God has blessed me this year and I am grateful. I am always praying and I am grateful for what I achieve. I am happy to win one of the Absa (races). My wish has come true.”

Asked what the secret of her current form is, Xaba gave praise to her support structure.

“I think I am a lot more focused. I am not even skipping training – even when I am tired. I am also glad that I have a good support system that keeps me injury free and no tightness of the muscles (thanks to) Power2Health. Puma are taking care of me, they give me stable shoes and because of that I have no injuries.”

Lesotho’s Kamohelo Mofolo won the men’s race of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K. | Rajesh Jantilal

Stacy Henning, Cassy Barnes and Sean Lees from Benoni participate for the Running for Cansa charity. | Rajesh Jantilal

Such has been her busy schedule that some would feel Xaba is running too many races. She says nothing can be further from the truth.

“I am not over-racing. They say I am, but when others are racing they say they are training.

“Even me, I am training. I just keep going like the Ethiopians. They don’t over-race, they train. I am keeping a consistency to that I am staying competitive all the time.”

Xaba’s big goal is to win the Spar Ladies Grand Prix title, to ensure it returns to South Africa for the first time in six years. She was the last South African Grand Prix champion with her victory in 2018, and since then the ladies-only series has been dominated by Namibia’s Helalia Johannes and Tadu Nare of Ethiopia.

“The plan is to win the Grand Prix and also do the last Absa race (in Johannesburg on September 24). My body is feeling good and strong, it is able to handle everything. When I train, you’d think I am doing a marathon programme.”

In the men’s race, Maxed Elite’s Kamohelo Mofolo of Lesotho was victorious with a 28:40 in a sprint finish, ahead of Kenyan Gideon Kipgmetich (28:42), while defending champion Kabelo Mulaudzi completed the podium positions ten seconds later.

Elroy Gelant showed no fatigue from his exertions at the Paris 2024 Olympic Marathon as he finished in fourth place with a 29:02.