Selam Gebre Takes Second Overall

Selam Gebre was the standout performer for Nedbank Running Club, finishing second in the overall series standings with 114 points. The Ethiopian ended the season just five points behind champion Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) and three points clear of Karabo More (Boxer) in third, collecting R105 000 in prize money for her efforts.

It marks a step up for Gebre, who finished third in the 2025 series. Remarkably, she claimed second place without scoring in the Cape Town opener, banking 29 points in both Durban and Tshwane and 28 points in Gqeberha and Jozi. At the Jozi finale she crossed the line in third place in 32:33 to lock in her runner-up position.

The tight margins at the top reflect just how open this year's series was. Tayla Kavanagh (Hollywood AC) set the tone by beating Xaba in the closing stages of the Cape Town opener, and from there the title race went down to the last race of the season, with Gebre applying pressure all the way.

Podium Finishes in the Age Categories

Nedbank Running Club athletes reached the podium in three of the four age categories, earning R31 500 in category prize money between them.

In the junior category, Kezia Matthysen finished third with 6 points, scoring in Cape Town, Gqeberha and Jozi to earn R6 000.

Este van Tonder was crowned 40-49 champion with 19 points, collecting R11 000 for her title. She scored in four of the five races, including 5 points apiece in Cape Town, Tshwane and Jozi. Tebogo Mokgosinyane joined her on the podium in third place with 7 points, earning R6 000.

In the 60-plus category, Dalene Sonnekus finished second with 31 points and R8 500. She scored in all five races and finished behind only the unbeaten Judy Bird (Boxer).

Second in the Club Competition

Nedbank Running Club finished second in the club competition with 337 points. Boxer claimed the Club of the Year award with 872 points, while Hollywood completed the top three with 253. The result is a reflection of the depth our athletes brought to the series, with Nedbank Running Club runners contributing points across the season.

Around the Awards

The evening belonged to Glenrose Xaba, who became the first athlete to win the SPAR Grand Prix four times, adding the 2026 title to her wins in 2017, 2024 and 2025. She took home R320 000, made up of R210 000 for winning the series and R110 000 as the top South African, after finishing on 119 points. Her achievement moves her past the three athletes who had each won the series three times, a group that includes former Nedbank Running Club star Tadu Nare alongside Rene Kalmer and Irvette van Zyl.

In the other age categories, Mpho Katiso (TUT) won the junior category, Elizabeth Potter (Boxer) took the 50-59 category with 29 points, and the remarkable Judy Bird (Boxer) remained unbeaten in the 60-plus category, finishing with a perfect 40 points.

SPAR also confirmed at the ceremony that it will sponsor the series again next year, with preparations for the 2027 SPAR Grand Prix already underway.

Congratulations to our Nedbank Running Club award winners, Selam Gebre, Kezia Matthysen, Este van Tonder, Tebogo Mokgosinyane and Dalene Sonnekus, and to every Nedbank Running Club athlete who lined up in this year's SPAR Women's 10km Challenge series. We can't wait to see what 2027 brings.

#RunWithUs | #GrowWithUs | #GreenDreamTeam | #NedbankRunningClub | #MoreThanAClub

Click here for more Photos