Overview

• Xaba won the Johannesburg leg in 33:07 to complete a clean sweep of all five Spar 10km Grand Prix races and retain the series title.
• She confirmed a December start at the Valencia Marathon with the goal of running under 2:20:00 and lowering her national marathon mark in only her second 42km.
• Before Valencia, she plans a late-October half marathon in Lisbon to challenge the South African 21km record of 1:06:44 held by Elana Meyer.
• Runner-up in Johannesburg was Diniya Abaraya, with Irvette van Zyl third in 34:35 as she builds toward the Soweto Marathon on November 30.
• Former national record holder Gerda Steyn reported a recent knee fall but hopes to be competitive at the Cape Town Marathon, and noted Valencia’s fast, flat course suits quick times.