August is Women’s Month; four weeks filled with activities that are all about us! And what better way to celebrate life and womanhood than by lacing up those running shoes and participating in the Spar Women’s 5/10km Challenge in Pretoria? – BY MICHELLE PIETERS
The race is only weeks away and is by far one of the most popular road running events on the local calendar. The best thing is that women of all shapes and sizes, and from all walks of life can take part in this awesome ‘Girl Power’ event, which attracts close to 20 000 women each year. And though it is a race known for its competitiveness amongst the country’s best female athletes competing for top honours in the Spar Series, it also encourages novices to give running a try. They might just end up loving it!
The Spar Ladies Challenge includes events in Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg and Pretoria. The Pretoria event has the largest field in the series; in 2008 a massive field of about
14 000 women participated and last year, this number went up to 18 000! The field has grown by about 20% every year.
This year the race, which will be held on 28 August, is particularly exciting as the venue has changed. In previous years the race started at the University of Pretoria sports grounds, but this year the venue has been changed to Supersport Park in Centurion. Organisers are hoping the new venue will provide more parking and will be more accessible to spectators. The route will also be more spectator friendly, winding through the leafy suburbs around Supersport Park. Some of the biggest names in athletics such as Irvette van Blerk, Ren? Kalmer, her sister Christine, Annerien van Schalkwyk, Leatitia Saayman, Masabhata Matoane, Ronel Thomas, Maxine Heine-Wacker, Tanith Maxwell and Thatita Tsatsa have confirmed that they will be lining up on the day. A sub-34 minute time is expected on the 10km route, primarily because the route has been designed to accommodate and facilitate fast times.
But the best thing is the massive amount of women of all shapes and sizes who will be taking on this fun challenge. About
6 000 runners are expected to participate in the 10km, with
an expected 14 000 participating in the 5km fun run and walk.
Loads of entertainment is planned for the day. Well-known singer Kurt Darren will be entertaining crowds while organisers are keeping a few surprises up their sleeves.
If you have not entered, get yourself to selected Spar stores, enter online or at reputable sports shops. Each entrant will receive a goodie bag loaded with the coolest things to keep
you smiling long after the race is finished!
Show Your Support for Breast Cancer Awareness
Well-known jewellery designer Jenna Clifford, in collaboration with PinkDrive, has designed a special limited edition Rose Amulet, made in the finest antimony pewter, in support of creating awareness for early detection of breast cancer.
The iconic rose is symbolic of love, passion, truth and beauty, the essential elements for a happy, successful and sustainable life, even through times of adversity. With each amulet purchased, funds are generated that provide PinkDrive with the ability to promote awareness of Breast Cancer by way of a powerful education drive into the rural and corporate sectors. With early detection through regular mammograms, breast cancer can be beaten.
The limited edition 2010 Breast Cancer Awareness Rose Amulets on symbolic pink silk cords are only available for orders of 50 or more, and make for the perfect and thoughtful corporate gift.
For more information or to place an order in support of breast cancer awareness, contact
sarah-jane@jennaclifford.com.
THIS MONTH WE TRIED: SPINNING
The Tour de France and all its excitement have probably inspired many of us to consider taking up cycling in some form. For those not brave enough to take to the roads, why not try your hand at spinning? It has grown in popularity in recent years, especially amongst runners. For many it is a way of keeping fit in the off-season and an added benefit is the weight loss it brings. You can burn as much as 500 calories
in a 45-minute session!
Spinning helps improve leg strength, which will make you
a stronger runner when you dare to venture back on the road. And for those considering taking on the real deal, spinning
is excellent to help you with cadence out on the road.
But don’t fool yourself by setting the resistance on the bike too low; spinning is all about pushing yourself! So next time
it is cold and dark outside and you just don’t feel like
bracing the chill for an early morning run, get spinning!
GREAT GEAR FOR GIRLS
THIS MONTH’S PICK: FALKE NEON SILVER RUNNER
Stand out from your running buddies and make sure you are visible on cold, dark mornings with these cool neon-green running socks. The Neon Drynamix Silver Runner range contains high-performance fibres manufactured from pure silver to provide the ultimate anti-fungal and bacterial solution for active feet. Combined with Falke’s unique Drynamix moisture management system, these socks will keep feet dry and comfortable, as well as free of odours and bacteria. Available from Sportsmans Warehouse in neon yellow and green.
PRICE: R29.95.