Bag your spot in SPAR women’s race

ENTRIES are now open for the much-loved Durban SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge on Sunday, 23 June.

The Challenge has, over the years, seen hundreds of South Africa’s top athletes, including a number of distinguished Olympians, take the honours.

This list includes two Durban favourites, Blanche Moila, who has appeared in the top three twice and Grace de Oliveira, who won twice (1994 and 1995) and appeared in the top three four times. Both have run all of the races since its inception.

The inaugural event has come a long way since it began in 1990 with field of 2 200 and in 2018 there were close to 14 000 participants.

Historically, the race route has remained fairly consistent around the Durban beachfront and CBD. The record time is still held by de Reuck who clocked in at 31:38 in 2000, followed in 2009 by Rene Kalmer with 32:27 and in 1991 by Gwen Griffiths (van Rensburg) with 32:28.

This year, the race route remains the same as last year and will start in Masabalala Yengwa Avenue, opposite the outer fields of Jonsson Kings Park Rugby Stadium, which is also the finish.

To celebrate 30 years, SPAR will award the winner of this race R30 000, as well as the usual cash category prizes.

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Participants will receive a breakfast pack upon completion of the event and are encouraged to remain after the race and to enjoy the entertainment on offer. There will also be a few big lucky draw prizes.

Entry fees are R145 for a 10km non-licensed entrant, and includes a temporary licence, R120 for a 10km licensed entrant and R120 for all 5km entrants.

Entrants for the 10km challenge must be 14 years or older and must be nine years or older on the day of the 5km event.

Entries can be done online via the race website and EFT payments will close on 10 June and credit card payments close on 17 June.

A manual entry option is available at hall 6 at the Durban Exhibition Centre on Thursday, 20 June and Friday, 21 June from 10am to 5pm, on Saturday, 22 June from 10am to 3pm.

All entrants will receive a promo bag at race registration.

To enter online, visit www.sparwomensrace.co.za/durban.

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