'This is only the beginning' - Another record time & pay day for Xaba as she bosses Boxer Super Run Tshwane 5km
As scores of spectators who had competed in the Open Wave earlier in the day lined the finishing straight to cheer the elite athletes home, Glenrose Xaba delivered another distance running masterclass. Just three weeks after winning the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon on debut in a new SA Record, Xaba destroyed her opposition on the way to winning the inaugural Boxer Super Run Tshwane 5km at the University of Pretoria yesterday. And as has been the case all season long, SuperCharger’s set yet another record. Even though the great Elana Meyer ran 15:10 in 1994, Xaba's finishing time of 15:42 is the fastest 5km ever run by a South African woman since the 5km road race became an official World Athletics championship distance last year as it is faster than the SA 5km Record set by Tayla Kavanagh at the 2023 World Road Running Championships in Latvia.
"The race went well for the first 2-3 km, but I could feel the marathon still in my legs over the last 2 km," she said after beating training partner Karabo More into second (16:17) with Cacisile Sosibo taking third (16:32). "But I kept pushing, reminding myself that I needed to perform for my club. I’m incredibly grateful and want to thank God for such a wonderful year. Thank you to my coaches, Caster and Ledile Violet Semenya for motivating me, as well as Rhyn Swanepoel from Boxer AC for encouraging me to always do well. I'm thankful for my teammates, especially Karabo More, who I train with—she has speed. And of course, thanks to my grandmother, my mom, and Lebogang Phalula for their support."
For her efforts, the Puma Ambassador pockets a well-earned R20,000 from the richest 5km race in the land which boasts a handsome overall prize purse of R147,200.00, available to both the Elite Race and Open Wave participants. It means that during a season in which she also won the SPAR Grand Prix title and set a new 10km SA Record at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K, Xaba has now earned well in excess of a million Rand in prize money and incentives. Semenya who also took part in yesterday’s Boxer Super Run and is no stranger to banking big bucks, says they are mentoring the Boxer AC top runner so that she spends her money wisely.
"I think it's very important for them to understand that you need to learn how to invest. In our camp we start them with the little that they have, by teaching them what is investment. But those big numbers mean nothing to us. This shouldn't stop her from dreaming. This should be the beginning of a great and successful career in terms of winning more golds and winning more races. That’s more important than focussing on the money. The main goal is educate them to be a great human being and not allow money to control you when you should control the money."
In the men's race Luan Munnik made two big victories in three weeks. After dispatching a quality field to win the Thembisa Mile a fortnight ago, the 1500m track specialist got the better of his Potch Track Club teammate Elroy Gelant in a thrilling encounter on the twists and turns of the Tuks Uitspan route. Known better for his performances on the track, Munnik who claimed fourth position at last month's Boxer Super Run Durban race, is developing into a more than useful road runner. The 24-year-old says stopping the clock in 13:50 ahead of three-time Olympian Gelant (13:58) and Boxer’s Chris Mhlanga (14:13) is the biggest victory of his fledgling road running career.
"The Boxer Super Run is such an amazing fitness test for us track athletes, and for the road runners, it's a speed challenge. It’s a fantastic blend of competition, great incentives, and amazing support. I like to go out hard to assert a bit of dominance. About 1km in, Maxime Chaumeton broke away, Elroy (Gelant) chased him, and I decided to respond. From there, it was a back-and-forth battle between Elroy and me. In the last 800m, I made one final surge, and I think my bluff paid off. Congratulations to Elroy on securing yet another medal at a Boxer meeting —he's an exceptional athlete. For me winning today is an incredible feeling; it’s my first major win on the road."
Lee- Ann Pillay, Head of Marketing at Boxer Superstores celebrated the 2024 Boxer Super Run 5km series which included races in Durban and a first race in Tshwane, as a memorable event. "We were absolutely blown away by the incredible racing at the inaugural Boxer Super Run in Tshwane. The atmosphere was electric, and the vibe was truly unmatched. Congratulations to our elite men’s and women’s winners, Glenrose Xaba and Luan Munnik, you set an inspiring pace and made this debut event unforgettable. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make it possible, from the passionate supporters to every single participant. This event has set the bar high, and we can't wait to continue building on its success!"
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