SPAR Grand Prix winner Glenrose Xaba has had the most successful year of her life so far and is laughing all the way to the bank.
Xaba is the first South African to win the SPAR Grand Prix since 2019, when international athletes were first allowed to enter the series.
She was also the last South African to win the prestigious award, having won it in 2018.
She received prize money of R200 000 at the awards ceremony on Tuesday as well as R75 000 for being the top South African in the SPAR Grand Prix.
In addition, she was given the keys to a Proton SUV X50 to use for a year.
“I was determined to win the SPAR Grand Prix again,” said Xaba.
“I made a lot of sacrifices so I could win it. For instance, in consultation with my mentor, Caster Semenya, I decided not to try to qualify for the Olympic Games and to focus on the SPAR races instead. I am so grateful to Caster and to my coach Violet Raseboya, who have encouraged and guided me this year.”
'BRIGHT FUTURE'
After her successful year in the SPAR Challenge series, where she had a perfect score of 120 points from four races, winning each with maximum bonus points, Xaba went on to win the Cape Town Marathon, breaking Gerda Steyn’s national record in her debut marathon.
Semenya believes Xaba has a very bright future. “She’s determined, disciplined and takes instruction well,” said Semenya. “I think she will go very far.”
Tadu Nare, the three times SPAR Grand Prix winner, finished third on the SPAR Grand Prix table, edged out by her Nedbank teammate and fellow Ethiopian Diniya Abaraya, who came second.
Abaraya received R100 000 and Nare R50 000. Abaraya also won the junior category. Abaraya finished with 112 points and Nare with 111.
Cacisile Sosibo was fourth overall, with 72 points, and she also won R50 000 for being the second South African on the leaderboard.
Mpudi Maubane, SPAR National PR, Communications and Sponsorship Manager congratulated Xaba in winning the SPAR Grand Prix this year.
“SPAR are very proud of Glenrose and her efforts in becoming this year’s SPAR Grand Prix Champion. We recognise the hard work and dedication Glenrose, and the other top ten athletes and age group category winners put into their success and salute them as leading athletes that inspire so many," she said.
She said they are grateful for these athletes and the many thousands of athletes who took part on the SPAR Grand Prix series.
"I hope they encourage their friends to take part next year so that together we can empower women and help develop road running in South Africa,” Maubane said.
She confirmed that SPAR would sponsor a bigger and better SPAR Grand Prix Series in 2025.
Details would be announced early next year.