PUMA partners with multiple national champ distance runner Glenrose Xaba

PUMA South Africa and Glenrose Xaba have signed a partnership that will see the sports brand supplying the multiple national champion with technical running product including apparel, accessories and footwear to carry her through to the next Olympics.

With versatility to match her level of excellence, Xaba is a multiple national champion with titles in 10km cross-country, 10km road running and 10 000m on the track, as well as at the half-marathon distance. Her half-marathon personal best of 69:44 places her third on the all-time South African list.

“Signing a star like Glenrose is the obvious next step in confirming PUMA’s commitment to distance running which has seen the brand unveil the new NITRO range of technical running shoes to fit the needs of all runners,” said Brett Bellinger, Marketing Director of PUMA South Africa. “We look forward to seeing Glenrose excel in the shoes and realise her goals of winning even more national titles, breaking a national record and securing a spot in the next Olympics.”

Xaba runs in Deviate NITRO, part of PUMA’s new running shoe range which includes specially engineered designs for female runners including a brand-new women’s last developed for the female foot. “I enjoy them for distance racing as they are supportive for my legs. They save me energy and I recover more quickly after having run long distances,” explained Xaba, who will compete in the new Deviate NITRO Elite Racer later this year.

The 26-year-old from Embalenhle in Mpumalanga is now a resident in Pretoria, where she is under the wings of Caster Semenya and her wife Violet Raseboya.

“I thank God that I got to meet these two people when I first arrived in Pretoria as a 20-year-old. Their support enables me to keep my focus on the big picture, of achieving my goals and making my dreams come true. I could write a book about all they have done for me,” explained Xaba.

One of her goals is breaking the national half-marathon record held by Elana Meyer. “My best time so far is 3 minutes off the record. To achieve this goal I need to keep pushing and work very hard on my last 5km through to the finish,” said Xaba.

Injuries put her Tokyo Olympic dream on hold, but she is determined to qualify for the next Games.

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