SPAR Women’s Challenge 10km & 5km, Pretoria
The SPAR Women’s Challenge is a five-race series run at major centres around the country and includes the biggest women’s races on the South African calendar. It not only allows thousands of women from all walks of life to take part in the 10km run/walk or 5km walk, but the Grand Prix Series also offers the elite SA women runners substantial cash prizes and prestige. The Pretoria leg on 27 August is the second-last of the series, which is currently being led by defending champion Irvette van Blerk.
With only about eight weeks to race day at Super Sport Park in Pretoria, it is time to dust off those takkies, get out from under your winter duvet and start training with your girlfriends, mother, sister or family members for a race that is sure to be one of your best memories yet.
Remember, whatever your goal on race day, you will be part of a charity campaign that makes a difference in the lives of thousands of less fortunate people. The race has a firm focus on social upliftment and community, and a percentage of the race entry fees collected will be donated to charities such as the Chrysalis Foundation, a Pretoria-based foundation providing counselling and support to young women aged 14-18 who have been victims of abuse, Help-net, which provides a safehouse for children who find themselves in abusive circumstances, and The Good Morning Angels Jacaranda 94.2 initiative, which received a donation last year of R50 000 from SPAR North Rand, to donate to a worthy cause.
A new initiative at the 2011 race will be a ‘Takkie Drive’ to encourage all runners to bring an old pair of usable sneakers to the race, to be donated to charity. Through lucky draws, a few fortunate takkie donors will be rewarded with a brand new pair of New Balance Rainbow running shoes for their support. Speaking of lucky draws, the main attraction of the prize-giving will be a lucky draw for a brand new Nissan Micra, the multi-award winning compact city car, courtesy of Global Nissan.
The day is all about having fun, so regardless whether you’re running for fun, to set a PB on the day or just want to support your girlfriends, make sure you diarise 27 August. You will get to see top elite runners such as Irvette van Blerk, Ren? Kalmer, Diana-Lebo Phalula, Annerien van Schalkwyk, Charn? Bosman and Dominique Scott in action.
The first 22 000 entrants to the Pretoria race will receive bright green T-shirts – the brightly coloured race Tees have become synonymous with the SPAR Women’s challenge over the years – and all finishers will receive a medal and goodie bag. Entry forms are available at selected SPAR, SuperSPAR and KwikSPAR stores or online at www.ladiesrace.co.za.