Glenrose Xaba made a stunning debut at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon on October 20, breaking both the South African and course records with a remarkable time of 2 hours, 22 minutes, and 22 seconds.

This achievement not only eclipsed the previous course record of 2:24:02 but also surpassed Gerda Steyn’s national record of 2:24:03, set in 2022.

Competing against a record field of 16,800 runners, Xaba faced challenging conditions as the notorious Cape Doctor wind swept through the route. Nevertheless, the enthusiastic crowd provided a lively atmosphere, bolstering the marathon’s bid for Abbott World Marathon Majors status by 2026.

Xaba began the race at a blistering pace, staying with fellow elite runners Mare Dibaba Hurssa and Pascalia Chepkogei. As the race progressed, defending champion Tsige Haileslase fell off the pace at the 30 km mark, signalling the possibility of record-breaking times. In the final kilometres, Xaba pulled away from her competitors, finishing strong and soaking in the applause from the cheering crowd.

“I’m honestly shocked to have broken the course and national record,” Xaba said, reflecting on her historic run. “I want to thank my manager, my coaches, and my team at Caster Semenya Training Group!”

In the men’s race, Abdisa Tola also made headlines, claiming victory and setting a new course record of 2:08:16, a 15-second improvement on the previous record. Tola outpaced Adane Kebede Gebre, who finished in 2:08:32, ensuring an all-Ethiopian podium.

Xaba and Tola’s outstanding performances highlight the potential for the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon to gain international recognition in the future.

For the full results from the 2024 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, click here.