Glenrose Xaba clinches third SPAR Grand Prix crown, makes history for Black South African runners

Glenrose Xaba ran off with the biggest prize at the SPAR Women’s 10km Awards Ceremony held in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

The 31-year-old Boxer athlete and current South African 10km record holder became the first black South African to win the SPAR Grand Prix Series three times when she romped home to victory in the Jozi 10km Challenge in October.

Xaba, who is preparing for the Valencia Marathon in Spain on 7 December, was proud to be the first black South African to achieve the triple SPAR Grand Prix title.

"I hope young black girls will be inspired by what I have achieved. I think they will see what I have achieved and believe they can do it too," said Xaba.

Only three other runners, Rene Kalmer, Irvette van Zyl, and Ethiopian athlete Tadu Nare, have achieved the treble. Xaba won her first title in 2017 (before the series was opened to international athletes), and then again in 2024 and 2025.

"I want to thank my coach, Violet Semenya, and my mentor, Caster Semenya, who both believed in me and helped me to develop as an athlete," she added.

A Grand Haul

In addition to the R200,000 prize for winning the SPAR Grand Prix Series, Xaba also received R100,000 for being the first South African runner, walking away with a handsome R300,000 and 10 bonus points, taking her total to 120 points on the overall leaderboard.

"I am not sure yet what I will do with the money. Last year, I was very happy to be able to help my grandmother with her finances," Xaba said.

Ethiopian runners Diniya Abaraya (Nedbank) and Salem Gebre (Nedbank) came second and third, respectively, in the SPAR Grand Prix Series. Abaraya received R100,000 and Gebre R75, 000.

Karabo Mailula (Tuks), who finished fourth in the SPAR Grand Prix, won R50,000 as well as R70, 000 for being the second most successful South African. Karabo More (Boxer) won R30,000 and R50,000.

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