Returning Olympians set to take on SPAR Grand Prix
Although the pandemic impacted the Grand Prix's dates the revised dates mean that the race starts two weeks after the end of the Tokyo Olympics.
After the postponement of the SPAR 10km Grand Prix, the series will kick off with the Pietermaritzburg SPAR Grand Prix at Alexandra Park on August 22.
The SPAR Grand Prix was postponed following the spike in Covid-19 cases and subsequent lockdown restrictions.
Although the pandemic impacted the Grand Prix’s dates, the revised dates mean that the race starts two weeks after the end of the Tokyo Olympics.
Some Olympians returning from Tokyo, including Helalia Johannes, Gerda Steyn and Irvette van Zyl are set to compete in the Grand Prix.
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The Cape Grand Prix will take place at the Greenpoint Stadium on September 4, followed by the Durban race at North Beach on September 11.
The Tshwane Grand Prix will take place at the Agricultural Research Council farm in Irene on September 24, National Heritage Day.
The Johannesburg race will take place at Marks Park on October 3 before the end of the series is held at Nelson Mandela University Campus in Gqeberha on October 9.
Each race will be by invitation only and will be limited to 250 runners. Because there were no races in 2020, this year there will be no time incentive bonus points.
However, Grand Prix points will be awarded to the first 25 runners over the finish line in the open category, and not the first 20, as in previous years.
This year there will also be an additional age group category for runners over 70.
There is substantial prize money on offer, amounting to a total of R2-million.
The winner of the SPAR Grand Prix after the six races will take home a cheque for R185 000.
Strict Covid-19 protocols will be followed at all races, and no spectators will be allowed.
The races will be live-streamed and runners can be tracked live using the Sportsplits app.
2021 SPAR Grand Prix calendar:
• August 22 – Pietermaritzburg at Alexandra Park.
• September 4 – Cape Town at Greenpoint Stadium.
• September 11 – Durban at North Beach.
• September 24 – Tshwane at Agricultural Research Council farm.
• October 3 – Johannesburg at Marks Park.
• October 9 – Gqeberha at Nelson Mandela University Campus.
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