Glenrose Xaba is one of South Africa’s standout distance runners: a multiple national record-holder and champion, she’s a powerful example of what’s possible in women’s running today. Besides her many track and road titles, Xaba made headlines in October 2024 when she broke the national record at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, in 2:22:22 – just a few months after setting a new 10km record of 31.12.

Rachel Beaton caught up with her in Spain just hours after she completed the Valencia Marathon – only her second 42.2K – in an impressive 2:23:22.

“Making it as a professional female athlete certainly had its challenges. There’s limited support and visibility for women’s distance running, compared to men.”

Rachel Beaton: Glenrose, thanks for taking the time to speak with us so soon after your race! How did it go for you?
Glenrose Xaba: I’m feeling very excited and proud of myself! But also a little disappointed, because I lost my position – third position – at around 38km. I just became very weak. Before I came to Valencia, I had the flu and stomach issues, so I think I didn’t recover very well from that.

RB: Tell us a bit about your roots.
GX: I was born in 1994 in eMbalenhle, a large township in the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality in Mpumalanga. They entered my birthdate incorrectly! They wrote down that it was the 31 December, but it was actually 1 January, at 2.15am. I was the first baby born in the hospital in 1995. We tried to fix it, but it was too late. I have two brothers and a sister. I’m the firstborn, and I’m the only one who runs; I think I got the running genes from my grandmother. But my parents have always motivated and encouraged me to do well in sports.

RB: When did you start running?
GX: Competitively? At school. At first, it was just part of races at school, but over time, I began to take it more seriously, as I started seeing results and enjoying the challenge.

RB: When was the first time you realised you had above-average talent?
GX: It wasn’t a single moment; more when I started winning consistently and performing well at national races. Getting podium finishes in the national 10km and track events, and eventually grabbing titles, made me realise I could genuinely compete at a higher level.

RB: What was it like pushing to become a pro athlete in SA, as a female?
GX: It certainly had its challenges. There’s limited support and visibility for women’s distance running, compared to men, and finding the right opportunities takes extra effort. For me, having a strong support network – including my coaches, Caster Semenya, and Violet, and support from my club – helped a lot. But I do feel there’s still work to be done when it comes to giving female athletes opportunities in SA.

RB: The lack of black female runners in SA is widely recognised. Why do you think that is?
GX: I think it comes down to opportunity and exposure. Many talented women don’t have access to consistent training, coaching or support structures, especially in more remote areas. There are also cultural expectations and economic barriers. I’m lucky to be where I am, and it’s only because the right people noticed me and helped me connect with sponsors.

RB: How do we create more opportunities for female athletes?
GX: Increasing investment in programmes that help young talent grow, promoting visibility for women’s running, and providing mentorship and financial support. That will make a big difference. I think success breeds success, and the more young athletes see runners like us on big stages, the more they’ll believe it’s possible for themselves. When I was young, I wouldn’t have believed it possible for me to be here in Valencia, but here I am.

RB: Speaking of opportunities and sponsors, when did you first sign with Puma?
GX: August 2021. I’d been building myself up on the national and international stage, and at that time, I was starting to see my hard work pay off, with consistent performances and some record-breaking runs. When PUMA came on board to support me with technical running apparel, accessories and footwear, I was so happy. All the years of early mornings, sacrifices and pushing myself in training… I suddenly felt seen. It was a reminder that staying committed and consistent really does work.

RB: Incredibly, at the Cape Town Marathon – your debut 42.2K – you broke the national record! What made you change focus from the shorter distances?
GX: I did really well in the shorter road races for many years, setting records in the 10km and half marathon; so stepping up to the marathon felt like a new challenge I was ready to take on. I felt that my foundation could take me far in a longer distance. I never imagined I could break the national record on my first 42km! But taking nearly two minutes off Gerda Steyn’s record was such a special moment. That was a good year for me. I also won four national titles and became the first South African to claim the Spar Grand Prix 10km series crown since international athletes joined in 2019.

RB: Will you be focusing more on marathons in the years to come?
GX: Yes – maybe some shorter races next, but I do plan to continue running marathons and challenging myself over the distance.

RB: Do you enjoy being a pro runner?
GX: It’s something I love, but it’s not easy. There are many sacrifices involved. You have to be willing to say no to things others enjoy, and make hard choices every day to stay consistent with your training and recovery. I’ve missed events, skipped celebrations, given up time with family and friends, because my focus has to be on performance. It can be exhausting.
But the joy of competition, the progress I’ve seen in myself, and moments like breaking national records, or winning big races – they make all those sacrifices worth it. And I’ve grown not just as an athlete, but as a person; I’m grateful every day for the opportunity to do what I love and inspire others along the way. Not everyone is that lucky.

RB: What advice would you give young female athletes in South Africa?
GX: Believe in yourself, work hard consistently, and look for opportunities wherever you can. Your background doesn’t have to define your future. I worked hard and never gave up. If you want it enough, you can too.

RB: Last question. Which race are you targeting next?
GX: My next confirmed race is the Lisbon Half, in Portugal. I’m excited; it’s such a fast and competitive course, and it’s a great opportunity to test myself against an international field. I also have a SPAR Grand Prix race coming up at home, which I’m really looking forward to, because I like running in front of my local supporters.

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