Glenrose Xaba inches closer to Elana Meyer's record after Spar 10km Women's Challenge in Durban

Glenrose Xaba has set her sights on breaking Elana Meyer’s long-standing 10km record after she produced a superb performance in the Spar 10km Women's Grand Prix race in Durban on Sunday.

The 28-year-old finished in third position setting a personal best time of 31 minutes and 55 seconds.

However, it was still not good enough to thwart the Ethiopian challenge of Tadu Nare (31:26) and Selam Gebre (31:37) who finished in a blistering first and second place respectively.

The diminutive athlete admitted afterwards that she did not feel well at the start and during the race, which started and finished next to the King Park Rugby Stadium.

However, she still managed to improve her time for the third time this year.

Xaba is however, creeping closer and closer to the legendary South African middle distance athlete Elana Meyer’s record of 31:13 that was set way back in Budapest in 2001.

“Yes, I didn't feel good at the start and during the race. My body did not respond, but I hung in there until the end and pulled through. If I can stay with them (the Ethiopians) until after 7 kms, I think I will eventually be able to beat them,” Xaba said afterwards.

When asked if she was aiming to break Meyer’s record she said: “Definitely, I want it one day I will break it, but I am taking it one step at a time.

“But I am happy to have been able to run a good time and produce a huge personal best,” said Xaba, adding that her other target this year is the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Hungary later in the year. 

“I am happy to have a good support structure. The strategy is to improve my times and do well in the World Champs.

“This year I also want to stay consistent and winning a race during the Spar Grand Prix series will come.”

Nare and Gebre who