One of South Africa’s leading road runners, Glenrose Xaba made history this year by becoming the first athlete to win the prestigious SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge Grand Prix award four times.
Three other runners, Rene Kalmer (Hollywood AC), Irvette van Zyl (Hollywood AC) and the Ethiopian, Tadu Nare (Nedbank), have won the award three times, Xaba (Boxer) first won the SPAR Grand Prix in 2017, before it was opened to international athletes. She won it again in 2024, 2025 and this year.
The SPAR Grand Prix celebrated 19 years this year.
It was a mega payday for Xaba at the Awards ceremony at The Venue Nine Yards in Parktown, Johannesburg on Tuesday. In addition to the prize money of R210 000 for the SPAR Grand Prix, Xaba received R110 000 for being the top South African in the SPAR Grand Prix Series, giving her a handsome total of R320 000. Xaba finished the series with a total of 119 points.
Ethiopian runner Selam Gebre (Nedbank) was second with 114 points and won prize money of R105 000.
Third was Xaba’s teammate, Karabo More, who finished with 111 points. She received prize money of R80 000, as well as R75 000 for being the second placed South African, for a total of R155 000.
The winners of the age categories received prize money of R11 000.
The junior category was won by Mpho Katiso (TUT), with a total of 19 points. Este van Tonder (Nedbank) won the 40-49 category, with 19 points. Elizabeth Potter (Boxer) was first in the 50-59 category, with 29 points. Judy Bird (Boxer) topped the 60-plus category with a magnificent 40 points, earning bonus points in each race.
Boxer was the runaway winner in the club competition, with a total of 872 points. Nedbank were second, with 337 points, followed by Hollywood, with 253.
Xaba was thrilled to have become the first runner to win the SPAR Grand Prix four times.
“I want to inspire young runners. I want them to think, if Glenrose can do it, so can I,” she said.
She paid tribute to her coach and mentor, Violet, and Caster Semenya, and also her grandmother, who was at the Jozi SPAR 10km Challenge to watch her granddaughter make history.
Van Zyl, who finished eighth, praised Xaba for her contribution to South African road running.
“We are all doing better because of Glenrose,” she said.
“Standards are higher and there is greater competition.”
SPAR Group Head PR, Sponsorship and Communications Mpudi Maubane announced at the awards that SPAR would sponsor the awards again next year, and that preparations for the 2027 SPAR Grand Prix were already underway.
“Today, we celebrate history. We celebrate excellence. We celebrate her.” Said Maubane.
“Very special congratulation to Glenrose Xaba. Last year she became the first black South African to win the title three times. This year, she has raised the bar yet again.
“Glenrose, your determination, consistency and achievements are an inspiration to us all. Congratulations,” said Maubane.
“We also celebrate every athlete in this room – from our emerging young stars to our experiences runners, including Judy Bird, who has once again dominated the 60-plus category and remained unbeaten this season,” said Maubane.
She said the sponsors were particularly excited by the new generation of South African runners.
“The SPAR Grand Prix has helped to nurture generations of athletes who have gone on to represent our country with distinction. We are proud to continue playing that role.|”
Maubane added that SPAR believed that empowering women must go beyond celebrating their achievements on the sporting field. “To us, it means standing up for women’s dignity, safety, equality, and opportunities in society. Through this event, we celebrate the strength and excellence of women, while using our reach to amplify the fight against gender-based violence and period poverty.
Our ambition is not simply to see women cross finish lines, but to help create a society where every woman and girl can pursue her dreams without fear, barriers and limitations.
This is a collective responsibility, and SPAR remains committed to being part of that change."
Jean Verster the newly elected Acting President of Athletics South Africa applauded SPAR for their continued support of women’s road running in the country. "To SPAR, thank you for 36 years of believing in women, investing in their potential and providing a platform where6 their achievements can be celebrated."
There were many “moments” during the 2026 SPAR Women’s 10km Grand Prix series, but if one were to pick a single moment that set the scene for the series, it would have to be the last 500 metres in the season’s opening race in Cape Town in March which saw Tayla Kavanagh (Hollywood AC) pip Glenrose Xaba for the win and the post-race celebrations.
The competition between Xaba and Kavanagh began in 2025. In the Tshwane race Xaba leads the race but kept surging, testing her competitors. It was the same strategy that played out in Gqeberha when Xaba and Kavanagh opened a significant gap between Karabo Mailula (Tuks Sport) and Ethiopian Dinaya Abaraya (Nedbank) in the chasing pack. Kavanagh stuck on Xaba’s heels, pushing her, but not overtaking.
Cape Town this year was different, strategies were different, competitors became rivals and a calculated move by Kavanagh upset the applecart as she took the win. For Kavanagh it was elation, for Xaba it was disappointment, but Kavanagh did what no-one has done in nearly a decade, she threw the series wide open and into an unpredictable outcome, right up to the final race in Jozi.
The post finish emotions were no different to sports like Formula 1, World Rugby and Cricket where adrenaline is pumping while emotions are churning. Social media erupted, and sideline critics voiced their opinions, but those of us who had the privilege of seeing the race play out saw two incredible athletes giving it their all for a win. The emotions we saw at the finish where exactly what sports is about, giving it your all and been elated to win and frustrated to lose. Make no mistake, this is a competition and Cape Town should just what it means to fight for the top spot.
During the 2026 SPAR Grand Prix series, five lucky entrants – one at each of the five race events – drove away with a brand-new Hyundai EXTER, valued at R269 900. The vehicles were awarded through lucky draws open to all entrants at each respective race. Hyundai has been a valued partner of the SPAR Grand Prix for the past three years, adding tremendous excitement and value to the series.
“At Hyundai Automotive South Africa, we believe that when women move forward, our nation moves forward with them. Our partnership with the SPAR Women’s Grand Prix is about celebrating excellence, challenging boundaries, and creating opportunities for women to realise their full potential said Thembeka Ngubane, Finance Executive at Hyundai Automotive South Africa.
As the official vehicle sponsor for the third consecutive year, we are proud to stand alongside SPAR in championing women who inspire a nation through their determination, resilience, and achievements. Through our sponsorship of five Hyundai EXTER vehicles, we are also proud to reward excellence and put the spirit of progress into motion.”