Tayla Kavanagh Claims First Spar Grand Prix Title with Stunning Cape Town 10km Victory
Tayla Kavanagh delivered a stunning performance on Sunday, earning her first victory in a Spar Grand Prix race at the opening leg of this year’s 10km women’s road running series in Cape Town on Sunday 29 March, 2026.
Kavanagh, representing Hollywood Athletics Club, held on to defending series champion Glenrose Xaba of Boxer Athletics Club for most of the race before launching a powerful kick in the closing stages to snatch the win.
The 24-year-old completed the contest in 31:33, chopping eight seconds off her personal best of 31:41, set in Cape Town in October last year. She finished just 21 seconds outside the national 10km record of 31:12, held by Xaba.
Xaba was five seconds off the pace, crossing the finish line in 31:38, while her Boxer Athletics Club teammate Kyla Jacobs took a big step forward in her comeback to elite competition by taking third place in a career best of 32:16.
In a fast race, the top seven women all dipped under 34 minutes. Kavanagh was all smiles after handing Xaba a rare defeat and taking the early lead in the Spar Grand Prix series standings.
“We had a good battle out there. The race went well and I’m happy to walk away with a personal best today,” Kavanagh said.
“It was a good, honest race between me and Glenrose. I love racing against her, and we put in a good, hard effort out there today, so all-round it was a great race.”
Spar Grand Prix Cape Town Champion, Tayla Kavanagh
“I’ve put in a lot of work in training, so I’m really proud of myself and the team around me, and I’m very blessed and grateful to walk away with the win.”
Xaba admitted she had hoped Kavanagh would help push the pace, with the eventual winner opting to sit back before putting in a surge in the chase for the line. She was pleased with the result, however, with both runners going well under 32 minutes.
“I thought Tayla would come on board and we could help each other along the way, but she didn’t take the lead, so I tried my best to push the pace,” Xaba said.
“If she pushed the pace with me, I think we were going to run even better times, but I’m very happy with the result and it shows the standard in South Africa is improving. Well done to Tayla. She did so well and I’m proud of her.
Spar Grand Prix Defending Champion, Glenrose Xaba
After picking up a stress fracture in 2023, Jacobs had to undergo surgery and then took a break from competitive athletics to have her first child, who was born in February last year. She returned to action late last season and was delighted to prove she was back to her best.
“I’m happy to be back on the podium here with a new personal best. It shows that I’m moving in the right direction,” Jacobs said.
“I still have big plans for the rest of the year, but Spar is always a fun event to be part of, so it’s great to be back racing with the girls.”
Spar Grand Prix Cape Town Bronze Medalist, Kyla Jacobs
With Karabo More also setting a personal best of 32:34 in fourth position, coach Violet Semenya expressed pride at seeing South African women runners continue to raise the standard.
“They are definitely on the right path, following in the footsteps of Glenrose Xaba, and the athletes just need to believe in themselves,” said Semenya, who coaches Xaba and More alongside her wife and coaching partner Caster Semenya.
“And it’s not only up to them. If I as a coach don’t believe in my athletes, they can’t believe in themselves, but it’s good to see the athletes showing that confidence they need and improving.”
Olympian Caster Semenya also competed in Sunday’s race, finishing a credible 12th place in 35:44.
“I came to Cape Town to give my team support and decided to race as well. I am a big fan of the Spar Grand Prix series.”
“Firstly, it’s a women’s only series which us women love and secondly the series has contributed so much to the promotion and development of women’s road running in all age groups in the country.”
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“My charges, Glenrose Xaba, Karabo More and Karabo Mailula all must give credit to the Spar Grand Prix series for their success,” Semenya said.
Following the race, one lucky winner from the 18 000 entries was drawn to win a Hyundai Exter valued at R270 000. The winner was Melanie Raaf of Hawston, Hermanus, a first-time participant in the Cape Town Spar Women’s Challenge.
Leading Results of the Spar Grand Prix Women’s 10km Race in Cape Town on Sunday 29 March 2026
1. Tayla Kavanagh (Hollywood) 31:33
2. Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) 31:38
3. Kyla Jacobs (Boxer) 32:16
4. Karabo More (Boxer) 32:34
5. Cacisile Sosibo (Boxer) 32:42
6. Karabo Mailula (Tuks) 33:28
7. Irvette van Zyl (Hollywood) 33:43
8. Zanthe Taljaard (Boxer) 34:23
9. Carina Swiegers (Boxer) 34:47
10. Elizabeth Hutamo (Boxer) 35:09
Original Copy: BLD Communications, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Tayla Kavanagh (centre) delivered a stunning performance on Sunday, earning her first victory in a Spar Grand Prix race at the opening leg of this year’s 10km women’s road running series in Cape Town on Sunday 29 March, 2026. All Photos: Athletics South Africa
Photo 2 Caption: Kavanagh completed the contest in 31:33, chopping eight seconds off her personal best of 31:41, set in Cape Town in October last year.
Photo 3 Caption: Kavanagh held on to Glenrose Xaba for most of the race before launching a powerful kick in the closing stages to snatch the win.
Crédito: Link de origem