Xaba kicks off title defence with slow win

GLENROSE XABA began the defence of her SPAR Grand Prix Series title with a victory in the SPAR Women’s 10K Challenge in Cape Town on Sunday morning and immediately outlined her plans for the upcoming year.

- MATSHELANE MAMABOLO

“So far, the plan is to qualify for the World Championships for track and field. I am also focusing on the SA Half Marathon because we want to qualify for the World Road Running Championships,” the Boxer Athletics Club star said, during the post-race conference at Green Point Stadium.

Xaba won the race in a time of 33:13, finishing five seconds ahead of Ethiopian Selam Gebre, while her training mate Karabo Mailula came in third in 33:33.

The South African marathon record holder led from start to finish, initially fending off the challenge from Ethiopian debutant Meseret Fita and later shaking off her team-mates Lebo Phalula and Caisile Sosibo.

Gebre stayed on her shoulder until the final kilometre, but Xaba surged ahead with about 850m left in the race.

She was disappointed that the race was not as fast as she had hoped: “I saw a few South Africans behind me, but it was not a challenge for me.