Gerda Steyn headlines sold-out Jozi Spar 10km as Grand Prix title fight reaches boiling point
Ultra-marathon icon Gerda Steyn will lead 15000 runners and a solemn anti-GBV tribute at Sunday’s sold-out Jozi Spar Women’s 10km Challenge at Marks Park, where defending champion Glenrose Xaba faces current points leader Cacisile Sosibo in a high-stakes finale for the 2026 Grand Prix crown.
In South Africa, marathon star Gerda Steyn will headline a field of 15,000 runners at the Jozi Spar Women’s 10km Challenge in Marks Park on Sunday. Steyn, known for her dominance in marathons like Comrades and Two Oceans, excels in shorter distances too. She recently finished second in the Hollywoodbets Joburg 10km race, clocking 35:51.
On race day, Steyn will lead a moment of silence in memory of Spar’s fight against gender-based violence (GBV). She passionately believes women should be able to run without fearing for their safety.
Defending champion Glenrose Xaba, who recently won the Gqeberha Spar Women’s 10km Challenge, is expected to secure a fourth Grand Prix title with a win. However, the race could get even more intense as Cacisile Sosibo, who missed the Durban leg, and Ethiopian contender Selam Gebre also have their sights set on clinching top-three positions in the series.
The race route takes runners through Joburg’s picturesque suburbs with challenging climbs and fast straights. Steyn’s presence guarantees a dramatic and meaningful conclusion to the national series.
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