Melrose’s Sonja Laxton crosses the SPAR Women’s Challenge finish line for the 100th time

Sonja Laxton recorded her 100th SPAR Women’s Challenge run at the Joburg event held at Marks Park Sports Club on 6 October.

This follows the 71-year-old receiving a lifetime achievement award last year for her contribution to the SPAR Grand Prix Series.

Ahead of the race she said, “I never dreamt the SPAR race would become as big as it has now.

“You know I only run now to stay ahead of Deirdre,” she jokingly referred to Deirdre Larkin, who is about 15 years her senior and a running legend in her own right.

“Seventy-one is still old and maybe I should get a wheelchair for the runs. But not for the downhills of course.”

Laxton has been running the grand prix since its inception in 1991.