Caster Semenya will step back into the competitive spotlight on Sunday, lining up with 18 000 runners at the SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge in Green Point.
Once the dominant force in the 800m, the two-time Olympic champion has spent recent years navigating a career reshaped by World Athletics regulations.
Barred from her specialist event since 2019 due to naturally elevated testosterone levels, Semenya refused to undergo hormone treatment and shifted her focus to longer distances.
Her last appearance on the global stage came in the 5000m at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene. By October 2025, she brought an end to her legal battle, a decision that signalled a closing chapter in her elite track career.
Sunday’s race marks a return of a different kind.
“I love the SPAR Women’s Race because it brings women together from all walks of life,” said Semenya.
“It is not only about competition, it is about community, empowerment and showing young girls what is possible when they believe in themselves.”
Semenya will share the start line with defending SPAR Grand Prix champion Glenrose Xaba, an athlete she mentors and manages alongside her partner, Violet Semenya.
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – MARCH 30: Glenrose Xaba celebrate winning during the 2025 SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge and 5km Fun Run at Green Point Common Sports Ground on March 30, 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
“Working with Glenrose has been a special journey for both of us,” said Semenya.
“Violet and I are proud to support her growth. She has the discipline and the heart of a champion, and we want to help her reach her full potential on and off the road.”
For Xaba, the race is the opening stride in a campaign aimed at history. A fourth SPAR Grand Prix title would set her apart as the most successful runner in the series’ 18-year history.
The early-season contest has already shifted shape. Ethiopian challengers Diniya Abaraya and Salem Gebre, who finished second and third in last year’s standings, will not compete after failing to secure visas and clearance documents. Their absence sharpens the focus on South Africa’s leading pack.
“The SPAR Grand Prix has become very important to me,” said Xaba.
“I am very proud to be the first black South African to win it three times. I hope my achievements are an inspiration to young girls living in poverty as I was, who see what I have done and believe they can do the same.”
Xaba believes her preparation has placed her in a strong position.
“I am ready to run my best and I am looking forward to the competition. I just want to achieve good results in 2026,” she said.
Challengers include Karabo Mailula, Irvette van Zyl and Tayla Kavanagh, along with training partners Karabo More and Cacisile Sosibo.
The SPAR Grand Prix spans five cities and carries a total prize purse of R2 million, with R210 000 awarded to the overall winner.
Age-group races add further intrigue. Chanel Groenewald leads the junior field, Anne Stewart defends her 50-59 title against Elizabeth Potter, while Judy Bird faces record holder Margie Saunders in the 60-plus division.
The route follows a fast coastal stretch along the Sea Point Promenade before finishing at Green Point Common.
On Sunday, two compelling narratives unfold in tandem. Semenya returns to a sport that shaped her identity. Xaba runs towards a place in history.
