After winning her fourth title in the Spar Grand Prix tournament, Glenrose Shaba is not delaying the transition to the next stage of her season. The two-time champion will participate in the 5-kilometer race along Snell Parade this Sunday.
Boxer Super Run Competition
This dynamic sprint in Durban is ideal for quickly working on short distances as she prepares for upcoming half marathons. The shift from an intense domestic ten-kilometer campaign to a flat 5k race on the KwaZulu-Natal coast greatly aids in developing maximum speed and fast pace.
This intensive short load serves as a necessary bridge, allowing her to hone her speed endurance before increasing mileage for longer 21.1 km races, including the half marathon in Hong Kong later this year.
Shaba, who won her debut race in Durban in 2023 with a time of 16:03 and repeated the victory last year with a course record of 15:27, is returning to the beach aiming to secure a third title, focusing particularly on the quality of the race execution.
Last year's race showcased a high level of talent in South Africa's middle distance. Shaba topped the podium ahead of teammate Boxer Karabo More (15:34) and Tyla Kavanagh (15:35), who is the current South African record holder in the 10k distance.
This weekend's competition will be equally intense across all divisions. Men's champion Ryan Mphakhlele, who won last year with a course record of 13:37, will also return to defend his title, though he admits he is far from last year's form.
Shaba stated: 'Returning as a two-time champion gives me confidence, but it also motivates me to keep working hard. Every race is different, and you cannot rely on what you achieved previously. I know what the course demands, so I can use that knowledge to run wisely and be patient when necessary.'
It is important to note that Shaba views Sunday's race as a highly intense tactical test, rather than an attempt to set a specific time, which allows her speed to naturally manifest at sea level.
Shaba explained: 'I don't want to focus too much on the clock. The key is proper pace control, maintaining relaxation, reacting to competitors, and having enough strength for the final kilometer. If I execute the race well, the time will follow.'
By earning another Grand Prix trophy, participation in the 5k race on Sunday provides Shaba with an ideal platform to test her natural speed against a strong domestic field before returning to the half marathon distance.