ADVERTORIAL
Flying Start for Xaba in 2024 SPAR Grand Prix
Former SPAR Grand Prix winner Glenrose Xaba got her 2024 SPAR Grand Prix Challenge off to a brilliant start by winning the opening SPAR Women ’ s Challenge 10km race in Cape Town .
The last South African to win the SPAR Grand Prix Challenge was Glenrose Xaba , in 2018 . In fact , that was the last year that a local athlete won a SPAR Women ’ s Challenge race , and since 2019 , the competition has been dominated by international visitors . However , thanks to her narrow victory in Cape Town in March , Xaba has taken an early lead in the 2024 Grand Prix leaderboard standings .
Although there will be seven SPAR Women ’ s 10km Challenge races in 2024 , only five will be included in the SPAR Grand Prix . These are Cape Town ( 24 March ), Durban ( 23 June ), Tshwane ( 3 August ), Gqeberha ( 21 September ) and Johannesburg ( 6 October ). Runners ’ s top four performances will count towards their Grand Prix points total , which means that runners can miss one race without being disadvantaged , an important rule this year because some runners may miss the Tshwane race while competing at the Olympic Games in Paris from July 26 to August 11 , while others may have other international duties or commitments during the year .
The winner of the SPAR Grand Prix will receive prize money of R200,000 , with second place earning R100,000 and third taking home R75,000 . In addition to this , South African runners have been offered additional incentives this year , to encourage good performances , and at the end of the series , the best-placed South African will receive an additional R75,000 , with R50,000 for second and R30,000 for third . The top South African will also be given the use of a new Proton SUV X50 , worth R200,000 for a year .
2024 Grand Prix Standings
( At 20 May 2024 , after 1 race )
Open |
1 Glenrose Xaba ( Boxer ) |
30 |
2 Diniya Kedir Abaraya ( Nedbank / Ethiopia ) |
29 |
3 Getenesh Agafaw ( Nedbank / Ethiopia ) |
23 |
4 Cacisile Sosibo ( Boxer ) |
22 |
5 Kesa Molotsane ( Kovsies ) |
21 |
6 Karabo Mailula ( Tuks ) |
15 |
7 Lebogang Phalula-Luthuli ( Boxer ) |
14 |
8 Lebo Phalula ( Boxer ) |
13 |
9 Bianca Tarboton ( Temp ) |
12 |
10 Betha Sitariko ( Atlantic ) |
11 |
40-49 |
1 Lebogang Phalula-Luthuli ( Boxer |
10 |
2 Lebo Phalula ( Boxer ) |
9 |
3 Christiane Adriaanse ( Nedbank ) |
3 |
50-59 |
1 Anne Stewart ( Atlantic ) |
10 |
2 Ronel Thomas ( Boxer ) |
9 |
3 Janene Carey ( Boxer ) |
8 |
60 + |
1 Judy Bird ( Boxer ) |
10 |
2 Dee Smale ( VOB ) |
9 |
3 Grace D ’ Oliveira ( Maxed Elite ) |
8 |
Images : Ashley Vlotman / Gallo Images
Glenrose Xaba , Diniya Kedir Abaraya and Getenesh Agafaw racing in Cape Town
Glenrose Xaba takes the win in Cape Town in March
30 ISSUE 168 | www . modernathlete . co . za is an official media partner of the SPAR Grand Prix and SPAR Women ’ s Challenge races . For more info on the events , go to www . sparwomensrace . co . za .