Xaba wants history to repeat itself as SPAR Grand Prix kicks off in Durban

South African middle and long distance starlet Glenrose Xaba is aiming to continue her fantastic recent form when running in Durban on Sunday. Xaba is arguably the jewel in the crown of a mouthwatering field of 150 invited athletes who will do battle in the The SPAR Grand Prix Durban 10km race. Organizers had initially planned to invite 250 runners to take part in this iconic race, but were forced to cut the numbers due to the rising numbers of Covid19 cases in the country. In her quest for top honours, Xaba is expected to take on Namibia's Helalia Johannes who last won the Spar Grand Prix in 2019, Irvette Van Zyl, Kesa Molostane and Gerda Steyn to name but a few.

Xaba in action during the 2018 SPAR Women's Grand Prix Series. Photo Credit: Glenrose Xaba.

Xaba who is the reigning SA Half Marathon champion, treats the coastal city as her second home and is hoping for a good race this weekend. "I don't know maybe God blessed me with Durban because I'm always making good times here," said an excited Xaba. "This is one of the places I prefer to run, especially because of the good weather conditions. Overall, I'm expecting a good race especially since the last road running race I ran was the SA Half Marathon in Gqeberha (on 1 May) and I want to improve my time which is something I always aim to do," she told #TheTopRunner.

For Kesa Molotsane, the 2017 Spar Grand Prix champion things are a bit different. She last ran a road race in 2019 before undergoing surgery is looking forward to just being on the start line.

Molotsane and Rene Kalmer have been chosen as the ambassadors of the 2021 SPAR Women's Grand Prix. Photo Credit: BLD Communications.

"My expectations on Sunday is to run and have a good race," explains Free State-based athlete. "Coming down to Durban gives me so much pleasure because I haven't been racing for too long. I last raced in 2019 and the last race was the SPAR. I had to cut the season very short because I had to undergo surgery. Ever since then, I haven't been running but I'm glad that I'm coming down for the first leg of SPAR this coming weekend," she said.

This year's the race will be run on a 5km loop due to Covid15 protocols. The winner of each of the six legs will grab R10 000 and the overall Grand Prix winner walking away with a whopping R185 000. Runners are also encouraged to #LiveLimitless and enter the SPAR Women's Virtual Challenge at www.sparvirtualchallenge.co.za which takes place on 4 September.