SPAR Grand Prix: 3 Runners Battle for Victory in Gqeberha

Glenrose “Supercharge” Xaba confirmed to defend her title in Gqeberha

The SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge at Pollok Beach in Gqeberha on Sunday could prove to be a turning point in the battle for top honours in this year’s SPAR Grand Prix.

Glenrose Xaba of Boxer has dominated the SPAR Grand Prix over the past two years, winning each of the five SPAR Challenge races held at venues around the country. In 2025, she became the first Black South African to win the series three times.

However, Xaba’s dominance has been challenged this year, and the final outcome of the SPAR Grand Prix is unlikely to be known until the final race in Johannesburg in October.

SPAR Grand Prix title race remains wide open

The current series leader is Xaba’s teammate Cacisile Sosibo, who has 80 points after finishing fifth in Cape Town and fourth in Durban and Tshwane.

Tayla Kavanagh of Hollywood RC is second with 60 points after winning in both Cape Town and Durban, including maximum bonus points. She missed the Tshwane race while competing at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Xaba is just one point behind Kavanagh on 59 points. She finished second in Cape Town and won the Tshwane race but missed Durban because of international commitments.

The tight points race means Sunday’s Gqeberha contest could significantly change the standings ahead of the Johannesburg finale.

Glenrose Xaba returns to defend her title

All the leading South African runners competed in Copenhagen, Denmark, last weekend in different events at the World Road Running Championships.

Kavanagh opted to remain in Europe and compete in the European athletics season, while Sosibo and Xaba will line up in Gqeberha on Sunday.

Xaba will be looking to strengthen her challenge for a fourth SPAR Grand Prix title.

“I’m ready for Gqeberha and I’m looking forward to enjoying every kilometre,” she said.

“My preparations have gone well, because I have also been preparing for the World Championships.”

Other challengers include Ethiopian runner Selam Gebre of Nedbank, who is one point behind Xaba, as well as Boxer runners Kyla Jacobs, Karabo Mailula, Karabo More and Xanthe Taljaard.

Three-time SPAR Grand Prix winner Irvette van Zyl of Hollywood RC will also be among the experienced contenders.

New Gqeberha course promises a challenge

SPAR Grand Prix Technical Consultant Brad Glasspoole said athletes will face a new course in Gqeberha, warning runners not to expect an entirely flat route.

The race starts at Pollok Beach on Marine Drive before heading south and turning into 10th Avenue.

The first 550 metres include a climb to 11 metres before the route turns into Brighton Drive, followed by a descent and a turn into Admiralty Way.

The course then climbs gradually towards University Way before continuing through Gomery Avenue towards the highest point of the route, reaching 37 metres of elevation at the Strandfontein Road intersection at the 3.23km mark.

The race then descends along Protea Road, passing Nelson Mandela University Athletics Stadium before exiting the campus and returning to Marine Drive.

At 7.45km, the route is at an elevation of approximately five metres.

The final 2.5km heads north along Marine Drive towards the finish at Pollok Beach and is almost flat.

SPAR links athletics to its GBV commitment

SPAR National PR, Communications and Sponsorship Manager Mpudi Maubane said the SPAR Challenge races form an important part of the company’s continued commitment to fighting gender-based violence (GBV).

“As a business rooted in the heart of South African communities, SPAR has a responsibility to stand up for women and girls,” said Maubane.

“Ending period poverty and gender-based violence is about more than intervention – it’s about dignity, safer environments, and equal opportunities. This is not just a social responsibility programme for SPAR – it’s who we are,” she said.

SPAR Grand Prix heads towards Johannesburg finale

With Sosibo leading on 80 points, Kavanagh on 60 and Xaba on 59, the Gqeberha race represents an important opportunity for the leading contenders to strengthen their positions.

With the final race still to come in Johannesburg in October, the SPAR Grand Prix title remains firmly up for grabs.

Sunday’s 10km challenge at Pollok Beach could therefore play a decisive role in determining who enters the final race with the advantage.