JOHANNESBURG – Then came the moment that mattered more than the stopwatch.
Glenrose “Supercharger” Xaba had already etched her name into SPAR Grand Prix history by powering across the Marks Park finish line in 32:26 to claim an unprecedented fourth title.
Then she saw her 89-year-old grandmother, Elizabeth Xaba.
Xaba ran straight into her arms, wrapping her grandmother in an emotional embrace that captured the human story behind a historic sporting achievement. It was the first time Elizabeth had watched her granddaughter race live, making the moment as precious as the record itself.
For Xaba, the fourth crown belonged to a family that had helped fuel her journey. For her grandmother, it was a front-row seat to a piece of history made by the granddaughter she had always believed in.
It was the first time Elizabeth had watched her granddaughter race live.
For Xaba, the embrace carried more weight than any medal. Her grandmother had come to the City of Gold to witness history, and the champion made sure they shared it together.
“My grandmom is a special lady to me. She’s very close to my heart and I’m so happy that she’s there to witness the thing that I’m doing,” Xaba said.
“She taught me very well and she always believes in me and always motivates me all the time. If I’m feeling down, she’s always there for me.
“I can say that I love her so much and she loves me too. And I’m glad that she’s there today.”
Moments earlier, the road had delivered its own history.
Xaba’s 32:26 secured the final leg of the five-race series as about 15,000 women took part in the Jozi SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge.
Before the starting gun, South African road-running golden girl Gerda Steyn led a moment of silence for victims of gender-based violence and femicide, while the elite athletes wore black armbands in solidarity.
The silence gave way to the pounding rhythm of thousands of feet, with Xaba eventually emerging as the woman who owned the morning.
Her Boxer Athletics Club teammate Karabo More finished second in 33:36, repeating her Gqeberha result, while Ethiopia’s Selam Gebre of Nedbank Running Club again completed the podium in 33:52.
Esther Borura of Super Eagles was fourth in 34:25, followed by Hollywood AC veteran Irvette van Zyl in 34:42. Boxer’s Karabo Mailula was sixth in 35:14, while Steyn finished seventh in 35:23.
Kyla Jacobs was eighth in 35:25, UK-born Emma Browne, 37, ninth in 35:31 and 17-year-old Ethiopian junior Dirbe Dagne 10th in 35:51.
More was proud of another podium finish after a difficult week.
“I’m really proud of myself. It was a very challenging week today,” she said.
“So it’s all about your mental state. If it’s very strong to fight. And yeah, by God’s grace, I was able to catch another podium finish.”
For Xaba, the numbers told one story: 32:26 and four titles.
The embrace with Elizabeth told another.
The Supercharger had won the race. Her grandmother had witnessed the moment. And South African road running had a new piece of history to celebrate.
CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE RESULTS OF JOZI SPAR WOMEN’S 10KM CHALLENGE PART OF THE SPAR GRAND PRIX
Marks Park, Johannesburg, South Africa: Results from the Jozi SPAR Women’s 10 km Challenge part of the SPAR Grand Prix run at Marks Park on Sunday
OPEN: 1. Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) 32:26; 2. Karabo More (Boxer) 33:36; 3. Selam Gebre (Nedbank) 33:52; Esther Borura (Super Eagles) 34:25; 5. Irvette van Zyl (Hollywood AC) 34:42; 6. Karabo Mailula (Boxer) 35:14; 7. Gerda Steyn (Hollywood AC) 35:23; 8. Kyla Jacobs (Boxer) 35:25; 9. Emma Browne (Peak RC) 35:31; 10. Dirbe Dagne (Nedbank) 35:51
JUNIOR 1. Dirbe Dagne (Nedbank) 35:51; 2. Mpho Katiso (TUT) 38:03; 3. Megan Waller (Nedbank) 39:19
40-49 1. Este van Tonder (Nedbank) 38:53; 2. Makhosi Mahlongo (Hollywood AC) 39:45; 3. Tebogo Mokgosinyane (Nedbank) 40:44
40-59 1. Charne Bosman (Tuks) 41;30; 2. Elizabeth Potter (Boxer) 42:16; 3. Janene Carey (Boxer) 43:23
60-69 1. Judy Bird (Boxer) 44:08; 2. Dalene Sonnekus (Nedbank) 46:54; 3. Elmarie Pretorius (RWFL) 49:28
70+ 1. Frances van Blerk (Nedbank) 57.42; Claudette McLean (Mercury) 1:10:18; Serene Netshiaulu (RAC) 31:11:38
