{
  "id": 10211247,
  "title": "‘I’m in awe’: Irvette van Zyl credits Glenrose Xaba for lifting the national standard",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/im-in-awe-irvette-van-zyl-credits-glenrose-xaba-for-lifting-the",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-27T11:55:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/irvette-van-zyl-glenrose-xaba-sa-distance-running/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Irvette van Zyl, an experienced South African distance runner and four-time Olympian, has credited Glenrose Xaba for lifting the national standard in women’s distance running. Xaba, who holds the SA records in 10km and 42km races, finished 13th in the half-marathon at the recent World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, setting a national record in the women’s 5km race with a time of 14:51. After returning home, Xaba went on to win the Spar Grand Prix 10km race in Gqeberha, finishing in 31:17 and just five seconds shy of her national mark, despite running alone in wet conditions in the second half of the race.\n\nVan Zyl believes that Xaba’s performances, including her impressive recent victories, have significantly contributed to the overall state of South African women’s distance running. She noted that Xaba’s ability to run so fast on her own without any competition demonstrates her exceptional talent. Van Zyl expressed her continued awe at Xaba’s achievements, stating that if she wins the final leg of the Spar Grand Prix series in Johannesburg on Sunday, she will become the first athlete to secure the overall title four times. Van Zyl also praised Xaba’s training group, a strong and successful team based in Pretoria, which includes African 1,500m champion Karabo More and former world student cross country champion Karabo Mailula. The group, coached by Violet and Caster Semenya, has been making waves across various distances and disciplines, with Van Zyl affirming that Xaba’s leadership is a crucial factor in their success.",
  "summary": "Xaba impressed once again with a solo performance in Gqeberha on Saturday.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}