The SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge is launched in style
JOBURG – Community members are encouraged to #LiveLimiteless ahead of the SPAR Women's Virtual Challenge.
Balloons, violins, dancing and personal aspirations were the order of the day at the launch of the SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge.
The Maslow Hotel in Pretoria was abuzz on 26 May as hundreds witnessed the launch of the annual race, now virtual and themed #LiveLimiteless.
The highlights for many were the discussions with three women who did not let their physical and intellectual limitations define them.
Chantal Struwig with a facial birthmark, Shirnel Swarts with an intellectual disability, and Zizipho Soldati with phocomelia (a disability of the lower limbs), discussed how they had overcome obstacles to achieve success in fashion, the Special Olympics and content creating/modelling respectively.
“Love yourself, you only live once,” Struwig said.
“Don’t only focus on your flaws in the mirror. Train your mind to think positively.”
The Mzansi Youth Choir performed a few hits along with Lucille Slade, and The Muses entertained all with their electric violins.
Athletics South Africa president, James Moloi also thanked SPAR for hosting its virtual run this year, and arranging for six 10km standalone races to form the Grand Prix Series.
This series will be for elite runners, boasts R2 million in winners prizes, and will not have spectators.
The Joburg leg of this series is scheduled for 4 September, the same date as the virtual challenge.
The virtual challenge, on the other hand, can feature any route, distance and speed the participants choose, as long as it is done between 6am and 6pm on the day. You can even run on a treadmill.
Participants will each receive a medal, T-shirt and matching buff in the race packs and can go online to generate certificates and race numbers if they so wish.
Entries can only be done online at www.sparvirtualchallenge.co.za, and they are R60 per person.
With every entry, SPAR will donate a sanitary pack to help keep a girl in school. Up to 75 000 people can enter.
“I never miss a SPAR event,” Moloi said on the night.
“Events like this give people hope and help keep people fit and healthy.”
