Spar launches annual women’s race
Come 12 October, thousands of women of all shapes and sizes will take part in the Spar Women’s 10km Challenge and 5km Fun Run.
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The 10km route will take the runners along Corlett Drive and Oxford Road through to Riviera Road in Killarney, before zig-zagging back through some of Johannesburg’s leafiest suburbs.
Runners participating in the 5km Fun Run will go through the suburbs of Illovo, Melrose, Birdhaven and Atholl-Oaklands.
The course was designed by Sonja Laxton, one of South Africa’s most successful runners of all time.
Laxton is among the women who will be participating in the challenge.
The event is scheduled to take place at the Wanderers Club in Illovo.
During the race launch at the Wanderers on 2 September, Spar’s marketing manager, Martin Webber said the first 15 000 women to register will receive a free race T-shirt, and the first 15 000 to finish will receive a medal and a goodie bag.
He added that because the challenge would coincide with breast cancer awareness month, proceeds from the race would go to Reach for Recovery, a support group for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. “As always there are wonderful prizes on offer including a lucky draw for a Nissan Micra, the Bring-a-Buddy competition, where an entrant and her friend can win New Balance shoes, and the schools competition where the school with the most entrants can win prizes from electronics giant Mustek,” said Webber.
Meanwhile, there is fierce competition for line honours among South Africa’s elite road runners where Diana-Lebo Phalula is virtually assured of winning the Grand Prix, and receiving the keys to her own Nissan Micra.
Runners who finish second in the Grand Prix will win a cheque for R50 000.
Among those jostling for second place are three times Grand Prix winner, Rene Kalmer, Phalula and twin sister Lebogang Makhanya, and Irvette van Zyl.
Entries were opened from 1 September and close on 27 September. Late entries will be accepted between 9 October and 12 October and entry forms are available from all Spar, Superspar and Kwikspar stores.
Details: www.spar.co.za or www.sparwomensrace.co.za