It's Glenrose Xaba versus Neheng Khatala in the inaugural Tshwane 10km race

Throughout this year’s series, Xaba and Khatala have gone head-to-head three times.

In both Cape Town and Durban, Khatala managed to finish ahead of Xaba in two races.

However, it is worth noting that Xaba holds the record for the fastest 10km time this year, clocking a personal best time of 31:55, compared to Khatala’s 32:06.

In the current year, Xaba has impressively shattered her 10km personal best not just once, but three times, achieving a remarkable feat by breaking the elusive sub-32 barrier for the very first time.

Her journey began in April at the inaugural Gqeberha 10km leg, where the Boxer Running Club athletes clocked an impressive 32:25, surpassing her previous record by 20 seconds, which was 32:45. Just six weeks later, she outdid herself again, shaving off an additional 13 seconds from her time.

However, her true moment of glory came on 25 June when she completed the 10km run in 31:55.  It is evident that Xaba is currently in the prime form of her life, thoroughly enjoying her running journey.

“It is always a good race against Neheng you know you will need to work hard when she is in the race. She is a tough fighter,” Xaba told SABC Sport. “But firstly, I must focus on my race, on how I feel, and then and then I will think about the opposition. But It will be a tough race,” said Xaba.

Kathala opened her season with a 33:55 in March in Durban. Two weeks later she clocked 32:45 in the Gqeberha leg, and in a windy Mother City missed her BP PF 32:06 by a mere seven seconds.

“It will be a hard run in Tshwane. We know the course will be tougher than those in Gqeberha. I am expecting a tough race,” she told the national broadcaster.