Xaba takes gold at the ASA 10km championships

Glenrose Xaba reclaimed her ASA 10km championships title at the Pilditch Stadium in Tshwane on Saturday, clocking 33:33 to bag the prize money of R7 000.

Xaba finished clear of Kesa Molotsane, who clocked 34:02 in the second place worth of R5000.

However, the talented road runner wished the defending champion Tayla Kavanagh of Kwa-Zulu Natal had participated in the race.

Xaba had a tendon problem at the Absa City Run Durban 10km and was happy to finish the race in Tshwane healthy.

The modest prominent road runner said she knew she would win the title: œYes of course I expected to win I just told myself that I need to bring back my title after so many challenges, like the way I was not okay at Absa City Run. I was struggling with tendon so I did not train when I was going there, so I™m very happy about winning the title.

The 27-year old is coached by multiple Olympic 800m gold medalist Caster Semenya and managed by Semenya's partner Violet Raseboya.

She said she uses the 10km races for speed as she plans to run a marathon this year.

Xaba aspire to be like Kenyans and Ethiopians, who dominate local races. And she she says her aims is to excel on the track and the road, by copying the East African runners seems to be the way to go for her.

œI think I will be having good speed, because you see even in track I am just focusing to do well in track so that I can have on enough speed like Kenyans and Ethiopians she added.

By Charles Baloyi