Ryan Mphahlele hit the Durban promenade like a bolt of lightning on Sunday morning, scorching the tarmac and rewriting South African road-running history with every stride.
The 27-year-old from Thembisa, flying the University of Johannesburg colours, stormed home to win the Elite Men’s title at the 2025 Boxer Super Run 5K in a jaw-dropping 13 minutes and 37 seconds (13:37).
It was the fastest 5km ever run by a South African on African soil.
Ryan Mphahlele wins Boxer Super Run Durban by Anthony Grote
“It’s been a while since I last raced 5km. I think about two years,” grinned a breathless but beaming Mphahlele after his record-breaking dash.
“The opportunity came, especially in Durban, it’s a coastal area, so I thought let me come and top it.
“It was like a fitness run to me, to see where my fitness is at this time of the year. I’ve got a couple of races that are premeditated. It was good to see where I am at.”
Fresh from a 19th-place finish in the 1500m on the track at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Mphahlele had to dig deep to fend off a hard-charging Kabelo Mulaudzi (13:39) and the evergreen Elroy Gelant (13:42). Both Boxer Athletics Club speedsters chased him all the way to the finish tape.
“Elroy and Kabelo were my toughest competition,” he said.
“When I looked back and saw Kabelo closing in, I knew I just had to take the sting out of him. I loved the weather, the course, everything. I’ll definitely be back next year.”
For his heroics, Mphahlele pocketed R20 000, with Mulaudzi earning R12 000 and Gelant R9 000 for their podium efforts.
If Mphahlele lit up the men’s race, Glenrose ‘Supercharger’ Xaba turned the women’s event into her own masterclass in controlled power. The Boxer star surged to victory in 15:27.
Glenrose Xaba wins Boxer Super Run Durban 2025 by Anthony Grote
“Today’s race was good. The pace was too fast,” said Xaba, who used the event as a tune-up for her European marathon campaign.
“I had two long runs of 30km and 40km in training, and I recovered really well. This shows I’m in good shape.”
Her teammate Karabo More (15:34) and Hollywood AC’s Tayla Kavanagh (15:35) were in hot pursuit, but Xaba had the final kick, adding another golden chapter to her stellar season.
“I am very happy about the win, and with the competition from Karabo More and Tayla Kavanagh. Well done to them.
“It was a good race. I went with the strategy of my coach, just sit behind, but when you take the move take it and don’t think about your training partner (referring to More), she will follow.”
Like the men, Xaba, More and Kavanagh each received R20 000, R12 000 and R9 000 respectively. The Boxer Super Run Durban boasted an impressive R147 200 prize purse in 2025. The top eight men and women earned prize money, with the winners each claiming a well-deserved R20 000.
In the OPEN WAVE, the top three men and women in the Junior, Open, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, and 70+ categories were also recognised and rewarded for their performances.
Xaba missed last year’s Super Run while preparing for the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon. She went on to set a new South African marathon record (2:22:22) on debut.
This year she decided to return to the Boxer Super Run and soaked in every cheer along the coastal course.
“It feels good to be back and to be on the podium. There’s a lot that I enjoy about the Boxer Super Run. The support and atmosphere are great, and we can network with the fans and supporters. It’s my second home here, so it is nice to run at home again.”
Her next stops? The Lisbon Half Marathon in Portugal on 26 October and the Valencia Marathon in Span on 7 December, where South Africa’s “Supercharger” will once again hit the road chasing new limits, and maybe more history.
Event: 2025 Boxer Super Run Durban
Date: Sunday 12 October 2025
Start Venue: Snell Parade via Lagoon Drive, Durban
Finish Venue: Blue Lagoon Park, Durban
TOP 10 RESULTS: ELITE WAVES
Elite Men
1 Ryan Mphahlele 13:37, 2 Kabelo Mulaudzi 13:39, 3 Elroy Gelant 13:42, 4 Musawenkosi Mnisi 13:49, 5 Chris Mhlanga 13:51, 6 Zenzile Pheke 13:54, 7 Bongelani Mkhwanazi 13:54, 8 Simon Sibeko 13:56
Elite Women
1 Glenrose Xaba 15:27, 2 Karabo More 15:34, 3 Tayla Kavanagh 15:35, 4 Carina Viljoen 16:00, 5 Kyla Jacobs
16:13, 6 Cacisile Sosibo 16:23, 7 Danielle Verster 16:40, 8 Bathobile Mhkize 16:49
FIND ALL YOUR BOXER SUPER RUN RESULTS HERE
