After a standout Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series season that delivered three podium finishes, including two victories, Glenrose Xaba is eager to kick off her 2026 10km campaign against a world-class field at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K on Sunday, 1 March.
Xaba, who represented South Africa at the World Cross Country Championships in the United States in January after running only the second marathon of her career in December, admits that while the 2025 season was highly productive, it was also demanding – necessitating a period of rest before she could begin preparations for the first of five Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series races this year.
“The body is feeling good. After the World Cross Country Championships, the focus was on proper recovery, easy mileage, strength work, and physio, before building up intensity again,” explains Xaba. “Training has been consistent, and I feel stronger and fresher each week, which is a good sign heading into the next races.”
Her next race in Nelson Mandela Bay is being touted as the fastest field ever assembled for a women’s 10km race on the African continent, where the Boxer Athletics Club ace will carry local hopes against a talented field of East Africans including sub 30 minute performer Brenda Jepchirchir and her compatriot Faith Cherono. SA’s 10km record holder (31:12) counts herself fortunate to compete against athletes that will push her to her limits.
“Being part of such a strong field at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K is exciting and motivating. When you line up against fast Kenyan athletes and other top runners, it pushes you to perform at your best. I see it as an opportunity to challenge myself and learn from competing at a very high level.”
It means that Xaba, who claimed third place last year in 31:50 on a course she knows well, could become the first South African woman to break the 31 minute barrier.
“I have great memories from racing in Gqeberha last year and finishing on the podium. This time, I want to improve on that performance. My target is to run a personal best and compete for the top positions again. If I execute my race plan well, I believe a strong result is possible.”
Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series Founder, highlighted the significance of Xaba’s return to the series and the excitement of welcoming a world-class field to Gqeberha for the 2026 opener: “We are incredibly proud and excited to see Glenrose Xaba, South Africa’s 10km record holder, line up against world-class competitors such as Brenda Jepchirchir and Faith Cherono on home soil. What makes this moment even more special is that Gqeberha will host the fastest women’s 10km field ever assembled on the African continent. We wish Glenrose the very best of luck and look forward to witnessing an exceptional performance in front of a passionate South African crowd.”
EVENT DATES: 2026 Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series
- Sunday 01 March 2026 / Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K
- Sunday 10 May 2026 / Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K
- Sunday 12 July 2026 / Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K
- Sunday 23 August 2026 / Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K
- Thursday 24 September 2026 / Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K
2026 PRIZE PURSE AND SA ATHLETE INCENTIVES: The Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series boasts an impressive, combined prize purse of R1 686 000.00, complemented by innovative SA athlete incentives designed to ignite standout performances and unforgettable moments in 2026. Read more here: https://runyourcityseries.com/absa-run-your-city-series-unveils-a-r1-68-million-combined-prize-purse-and-unprecedented-sa-athlete-incentives/
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Hashtag: #RunYourCity #AbsaRunYourCity
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Websites: www.runyourcityseries.com
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Author: Jacky McClean from NEWSPORT MEDIA on behalf of Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series.
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