Glenrose Xaba may have had a memorable season, but there is a box the renowned athlete, who turns out in the red colours of Boxer Athletic Club, is yet to tick.
"Supercharge" has not won an Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series race this year despite shining in the Spar Ladies Series, an event she has essentially made her own over the last three seasons. The runner from Mbalenhle in Mpumalanga has also been highly competitive on the half-marathon circuit.
A multiple winner of the Absa races last year and in previous seasons, Xaba has had to watch as Kenyan athletes dominated this year’s events, with the Gqeberha, Durban, Tshwane, and Johannesburg legs all won by the East Africans.
Xaba wants to change that by winning the inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY Mangaung 10K on Sunday.
Given her current good form, there is every reason to expect the 31-year-old to reign supreme on what is touted as a flat and fast course in Bloemfontein.
Having only recently seen her national 10km record broken by Tyla Kavanagh, Xaba is eager to improve her personal best of 31:12. While she did not explicitly vocalise it, indications suggest she is looking to chase down the new record of 30:50.
"I heard the course is flat and fast, and I’m looking forward to giving my best as I always do. I’m in good form and hoping to have a great race. I came close to my PB in Gqeberha, so I would be happy to set a new PB on Sunday," the athlete, who is coached by the legendary Caster Semenya and her partner Violet, said at the pre-race media conference, referencing the 31:16 she clocked at the Spar Ladies race in Gqeberha a fortnight ago.
Just last week, Xaba proved her fitness by winning the Boxer Super Run 5K in Durban.
Meanwhile, the men’s race promises to produce a thrilling contest, with Kabelo Mulaudzi targeting his second series victory after claiming top spot in Johannesburg last month.
"Mr Podium" is chasing an eighth overall RUN YOUR CITY title and was oozing confidence ahead of Sunday’s race, despite Kenya’s Felix Masai Kibet declaring his intention to target a new personal best.
"I’m feeling very good and I’m ready for Sunday. The competition is tough, but I will try my best. The field will have to work hard to win," Mulaudzi said.
Kibet, who holds a 27:19 personal best, was equally firm in his intentions: "I want to run a PB on Sunday."
The event is officially sold out, with 5,000 runners expected to paint the streets of Mangaung red as the Free State capital welcomes the popular 10km series for the first time.
Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and series founder, expressed his excitement ahead of the landmark occasion.
"The inaugural Absa RUN YOUR CITY MANGAUNG 10K marks an exciting new chapter for the series, and we are proud to be expanding our footprint and bringing world-class road running to a new city while giving local fans the opportunity to experience some of South Africa’s finest athletes competing against top international talent."
Meyer expects fierce competition at the front of the pack.
"The calibre of the elite field promises an exciting contest, and we look forward to seeing Mangaung come alive as these athletes take to the streets in pursuit of fast times and outstanding performances. We're excited to make Mangaung part of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series journey and to deliver a memorable inaugural event for the city and its running community."