What the SPAR Women’s Challenge mean’s to last year’s winner
EMMARENTIA – Nine-times winner of the SPAR Women's Challenge Joburg, Irvette van Zyl gives her two cents.
Who better to ask about the SPAR Women’s Challenge than someone who has won the Joburg race nine times.
Irvette van Zyl, who last year made it three in a row, said her favourite memory of the run was when she was five weeks postpartum and still ran the 10km, with her baby and husband in support at the 5km mark.
“I finished 11th in 38 minutes. But that was my fondest memory,” Van Zyl said.
The event promises to be loads of fun again this year. When 6 October arrives and thousands of smiles abound at Marks Park Sports Club, Emmarentia, participants can look forward to the many cash and spot prizes.
Especially as all the proceeds of the run go to the Reach for Recovery Foundation, a breast cancer support group.
Van Zyl described the run as a tough course made pleasant by the shading from lots of trees overhanging the road.
“My advice to first-timers is take it easy the first 5km because the second half of the course is really hilly. Do some hill training beforehand, it will make a difference come race day.”
Van Zyl had surgery two months ago to treat an old vascular problem in her left leg.
“So I have been out for a few weeks. But recovery is going really well and I am gradually picking up fitness. So on race day I will be ready and as fit as I can be with the time I had to train, to do my best to defend my title.”
How to enter
So get out your running shoes and log on to www.sparjoburgrace.co.za to enter online. Online entries close at midnight on 24 September.
Otherwise visit your nearby SPAR, KwikSPAR or SuperSPAR to register in store. A full list of the stores where you can enter is available on the race website.
Late entries will be charged at R110 each and will be available at Marks Park Sports Club from 2 to 5 October between 10am and 4pm, and on 6 October between 6am and 7.30am if available.
Drop a pair
The Drop Off a Pair and Show You Care campaign is also in effect, and has been since Caxton Local Media noticed many children running the race barefoot in 2015.
Community members are encouraged to donate a pair of running shoes that are in good condition at Marks Park Sports Club or at one of the two Caxton branches in Joburg north.
These are at 368 Jan Smuts Avenue, Craighall, and 1187 Cornelius Street, near the corner of JG Strijdom Road, Weltevreden Park.
Related article:
