Seen Here: Glenrose Xaba crosses the finish line in a defining moment of her historic 2026 SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge Grand Prix campaign. The Boxer Athletics Club star made history by securing her fourth overall Grand Prix title, becoming the first athlete to achieve the milestone. Photo Credit: Supplied
The Boxer AC star becomes the first athlete to win four SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge Grand Prix titles, capping a record-breaking season that celebrated elite athletic performance and championed the fight against gender-based violence and period poverty.
JOHANNESBURG, 10 NOVEMBER 2026 – South African road-running sensation Glenrose Xaba has cemented her place in the history of women’s athletics after becoming the first athlete to win the SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge Grand Prix title four times, earning a combined R320,000 in prize money at the 2026 awards ceremony.
The Boxer Athletics Club runner was the standout performer at the ceremony held at The Venue Nine Yards in Parktown, Johannesburg, on Tuesday, following another exceptional campaign in the 19-year history of the SPAR Grand Prix.
Xaba’s latest triumph takes her beyond the previous record of three titles, shared by Rene Kalmer and Irvette van Zyl of Hollywood AC, and Ethiopian runner Tadu Nare of Nedbank.
Having first won the Grand Prix in 2017, when the competition was restricted to South African athletes, Xaba returned to the top in 2024 and successfully defended her title in 2025 before making history again this year.
Her dominance was reflected in the final standings, where she accumulated 119 points to secure the overall championship and the R210,000 winner’s prize. She also received R110,000 for finishing as the leading South African athlete in the series, taking her total earnings to R320,000.
Ethiopian runner Selam Gebre of Nedbank finished second overall with 114 points, earning R105,000, while Xaba’s Boxer teammate Karabo More claimed third place with 111 points.
More collected R80,000 for her overall position and an additional R75,000 for finishing as the second-best South African, bringing her total prize money to R155,000.
Xaba’s record-breaking achievement inspires the next generation
For Xaba, the fourth title represents more than personal success. The South African star believes her achievements can encourage young athletes to pursue their ambitions and recognise what is possible through dedication and perseverance.
“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, as well as Caster Semenya, and acknowledged the support of her grandmother, who was present at the Johannesburg SPAR 10km Challenge to witness her granddaughter’s historic achievement.
Her accomplishment also drew praise from fellow competitors, including van Zyl, who finished eighth in this year’s series.
“We are all doing better because of Glenrose,” said van Zyl. “Standards are higher and there is greater competition.”
Her comments reflect the competitive influence Xaba has had on women’s road running, pushing fellow athletes to raise their performances and strengthening the depth of South African distance running.
Seen Here: The top three athletes in the 2026 SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge Grand Prix celebrate their achievements in Johannesburg. Champion Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) finished on 119 points, followed by Selam Gebre (Nedbank) on 114 points and Karabo More (Boxer) on 111 points, rounding off a fiercely contested season. Photo Credit: Supplied
More than a podium: Celebrating excellence across generations
While Xaba dominated the overall standings, the awards ceremony also recognised outstanding performances across the age categories and club competition.
The junior category was won by Mpho Katiso of TUT, who finished with 19 points. Este van Tonder of Nedbank claimed the 40–49 category with 19 points, while Elizabeth Potter of Boxer topped the 50–59 category with 29 points.
Judy Bird of Boxer delivered a remarkable performance in the 60-plus category, finishing unbeaten with 40 points after earning bonus points in every race.
In the club competition, Boxer Athletics Club emerged as the clear winner with 872 points. Nedbank finished second with 337 points, followed by Hollywood AC on 253 points.
The age-category winners each received R11,000, underlining the series’ commitment to recognising excellence across different stages of women’s athletic careers.
A season of fierce competition and unforgettable finishes
Beyond the final standings, the 2026 series delivered a compelling contest, particularly through the emerging rivalry between Xaba and Hollywood AC’s Tayla Kavanagh.
One of the defining moments came during the season-opening race in Cape Town in March, when Kavanagh edged Xaba in the final 500 metres to claim victory.
The result disrupted expectations and introduced a new dimension to the competition, with Kavanagh demonstrating that Xaba’s dominance could be challenged.
Their rivalry had been developing since 2025, with Xaba often setting the pace and testing her competitors through repeated surges. Similar tactics played out in Tshwane and Gqeberha, where Kavanagh remained close to Xaba as the leading athletes separated themselves from the chasing pack.
Cape Town, however, produced a different outcome. Kavanagh’s calculated move delivered a victory that opened up the Grand Prix standings and kept the title race unpredictable until the final event in Johannesburg.
The emotional finish reflected the intensity of elite competition, with both athletes displaying the exhilaration of victory and the disappointment of narrowly missing out.
The contest also demonstrated the competitive depth of the series, with athletes pushing one another to higher standards across the five-city calendar.
Seen Here: Glenrose Xaba powers through the course during the SPAR Grand Prix Jozi race, showcasing the strength, pace and determination behind her record-breaking season. Her outstanding performances earned her the 2026 series title and R320,000 in prize money. Photo Credit: Supplied
SPAR renews commitment to women’s athletics and social impact
The awards ceremony also reaffirmed SPAR’s commitment to women’s sport and the broader social issues connected to women’s empowerment.
Mpudi Maubane, SPAR Group Head of Public Relations, Sponsorship and Communications, announced that the retailer would sponsor the awards again next year, with preparations for the 2027 SPAR Grand Prix already underway.
“Today, we celebrate history. We celebrate excellence. We celebrate her,” said Maubane.
“Very special congratulations 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.”
Maubane also recognised the contribution of athletes across the competition, from emerging junior runners to experienced competitors such as Bird, whose continued success demonstrates the importance of creating opportunities for women to participate in sport throughout their lives.
She said the Grand Prix had helped nurture generations of athletes who had gone on to represent South Africa with distinction.
However, SPAR’s commitment extends beyond sporting performance.
Maubane said the series also provides a platform to raise awareness about gender-based violence (GBV) and period poverty, using the reach of women’s sport to promote dignity, safety, equality and opportunity.
“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,” she said.
“This is a collective responsibility, and SPAR remains committed to being part of that change.”
Athletics South Africa applauds continued investment
Newly elected Acting President of Athletics South Africa, Jean Verster, also praised SPAR for its longstanding contribution to women’s road running.
“To SPAR, thank you for 36 years of believing in women, investing in their potential and providing a platform where their achievements can be celebrated,” said Verster.
His remarks recognised the importance of sustained private-sector investment in creating competitive platforms for women athletes and supporting the development of the sport nationally.
Hyundai adds further excitement with five vehicle giveaways
The 2026 series also delivered significant rewards for participants beyond the prize money awarded to elite athletes.
Through its partnership with the SPAR Grand Prix, Hyundai Automotive South Africa awarded five brand-new Hyundai EXTER vehicles, each valued at R269,900, through lucky draws at the five race events.
One vehicle was awarded at each event, with all race entrants eligible to participate in the draws.
The partnership, now in its third consecutive year, has added another dimension to the series by rewarding participation and bringing additional excitement to the race experience.
Thembeka Ngubane, Finance Executive at Hyundai Automotive South Africa, said the partnership reflects the company’s commitment to celebrating women’s achievements and supporting opportunities for their advancement.
“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 Ngubane.
“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.”
A historic season with a bigger purpose
Xaba’s fourth Grand Prix crown represents a defining achievement in South African women’s road running, but the significance of the 2026 series reaches beyond one athlete’s record-breaking performance.
Across five cities, the competition brought together thousands of women through sport, community participation and a shared commitment to challenging the barriers affecting women and girls.
As SPAR turns its attention to the 2027 edition, Xaba’s achievement sets a new benchmark for excellence, while the performances of athletes such as Kavanagh, More and Bird demonstrate the depth and competitive spirit of women’s distance running.
For Xaba, the record books now carry her name four times. For the next generation of runners watching her journey, her message remains simple: greatness is possible.
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