Xaba wins Tshwane Spar women's 10KM by a whisker

Defending SPAR Grand Prix champion Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) secured her third SPAR Women’s 10km win of the year when she won the Tshwane race by a whisker on Saturday afternoon.

Xaba, who is aiming to become the third South African and first black runner to win the SPAR Grand Prix Series title three times, finished the race in 32:39 minutes, just ahead of Ethiopian Diniya Abaraya (Nedbank), who finished in 32:41. Abaraya’s teammate and fellow Ethiopian Selam Gebre was third in 33:17. Nedbank’s Kenyan runner Debrah Cherotich was fourth in 33:38.

Former three times SPAR Grand Prix winner Irvette van Zyl (Hollywood) surprised everyone when she shot into the lead at the start of the race, but the four front runners dropped her at the two-kilometre mark and ran together for the next five kilometres, when Xaba surged into the lead. She appeared to be well ahead of the two Ethiopians, but they made up lost ground and nearly caught her on the finish line. Xaba admitted later that she had been taken by surprise.

“I thought I had dropped them, so I wasn’t aware how close they were,” she said.

Xaba, who won her sixth South African half marathon title a week ago, attributed her success to her coach and her mentor, Violet, and Caster Semenya.

“They help me in so many ways, keeping me injury free and working out strategies for me,”

She thanked the Ethiopian and Kenyan runners for pushing South African runners to do better.

“They are making us competitive internationally,” said Xaba.

Xaba said she hoped her success would encourage the next generation of South African runners.

“They can see my success and believe they can succeed too,” she said.

The two Ethiopians both expressed their admiration for Xaba.

“I am amazed at how powerful she is, taking the lead from the start and staying there,” said Abaraya.

She said she had found the hilly course very challenging.

Van Zyl, who won a gold medal at the Comrades Marathon in June, said she was very excited about the young runners who were making their mark in South African road running.

“I am also so thrilled to see a South African winning again. I have watched Glenrose since she started and I am so impressed by her,” said Van Zyl.

The sell out SPAR Women’s Tshwane Challenge had 17 000 participants.

Pauline Mathebula was drawn as the lucky winner of a Hyundai Exter valued at R269 900.

"Hyundai Automotive South Africa is proud to further solidify its commitment to supporting women's health, sporting excellence and unity. As part of this partnership, we are delighted to have given-away a brand-new Hyundai EXTER at this weekend's SPAR Women's Challenge Tshwane in Centurion. The Hyundai EXTER, with its bold design, advanced safety features and its innovative aspects; mirrors the very key qualities we see in these remarkable participants," said Stanley Anderson, CEO of Hyundai Automotive South Africa.

In support of the fight against Gender Based Violence and to End Period Poverty, SPAR through the Tshwane SPAR Women’s Challenge made donations to Basadi Ba Moshito Foundation and Love Justice International through the “Rope Runner” who completed the 10km in her trademark skipping style.

Results of the SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge run at SuperSport Park on Saturday

Open: 1. Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) 32:39; 2. Diniya Abaraya (Nedbank0 32:41; . 3. Selam Gebre (Nedbank) 33:17; 4, Debrah Cherotich (Nedbank) 33:17; 5. Karabo More (Boxer) 34:03; 6. Nicola Jansen (Boxer) 34:16; 7. Karabo Mailula (Tuks) 34:34; 8. Irvette van Zyl (Hollywood) 34:42; 9. Cacisile Sosibo (Boxer) 34:55; 10. Carina Swiggers (Boxer) 36:12

Junior: 1. Wiepke Schoeman (Boxer) 38:16; 2. Taya Pelser (Boxer) 38:59; 3. Chanel Groenewald (Boxer) 39:45

40-49: 1. Leilani Scheffer (Boxer) 39:40; 2. Jeannie Henderson (Nedbank) 39:46; 3.Andrea Steyn (Trivium) 40:09

50-59 1. Elizabeth Potter (Boxer) 4:49; 2. Anne Stewart (Atlantic) 42:51; S3. Salome Cooper (Jeppe Quondam) 43:14

60-69 1. Judy Bird (Boxer) 43:00; 2. Gail Babich (Savages) 47:01; 3. Dalene Sonnekus (Nedbank) 48:12

70+ 1. Winnie Koekemoer (Team Vitality) 01:01:16; 2. Annatje Greyvenstein 01:06:22; 3. Lettie Coetzee (Pretoria Bobbies) 01:14:43