Glenrose Xaba clinches Spar 10km Grand Prix title in style

Xaba secured victory in 32 minutes and 48 seconds, finishing ahead of three-time series champion Tadu Nare and Daniya Kedir Abraya of Ethiopia. 

The 29-year-old expressed her delight at her sacrifices paying dividends.

"I sacrifice a lot when it comes to the Grand Prix because I just did not go for the African [Championships] so that I can complete all the Spar races," said Xaba.

"Ryan [Mphahlele] told me, 'You can't skip one Spar [race], you need to run all of them and I want you to win the Grand Prix.' So fitness was on my side and I was supposed to use it, stay focussed and healthy. 

"So I can say I sacrificed a lot because I had tow races that I needed to go to qualify for the Olympics, but I just turned them down and [decided] not to run those races, and relied on world rankings.

"Unfortunately I couldn't run a good time before the rankings closed, but coach told me I need to gain one and lose one, so you need to gain the Grand Prix – just focus on that now."

Xaba walked away with a total purse of R308 000 – with R33,000 for winning the race, R200,000 for clinching the series, and R75,000 for being the best local runner over the series – as well as a Proton car for the next twelve months.

She will next turn her attention to the Cape Town Marathon, where she will make her maiden appearance later this month.

READ: Xaba ready for her first marathon race in Cape Town