Joburg’s most beautiful race does not disappoint

Gloomy weather could not keep Johannesburg residents from turning up for the Spar Women’s Race Joburg, nor prevent the event from maintaining its label as the city’s most beautiful race.

A whopping 13 000 runners descended on Marks Park Sports Club for the event on 8 October.
More than just a 10km challenge and 5km fun run, the event raised R60 000 for Reach for Recovery, a support group for women with breast cancer. Furthermore, as part of the #RaceUpWithCare initiative with Spar and Caxton Joburg North, runners donated takkies for schoolchildren who run the race every year barefoot.

Read: Don’t be tacky, bring your takkies 

The majority of the runners were women, but some were men too.
“I am here to support the ladies and socialise,” said Jean-Piere Giamello, a participant who was dressed up as a bee.

Men supporting their partners, Khulile Ngcangata and Khotso Moleko, said the event was a fun opportunity to test their running fitness.

One group of runners from the Mogale Elderly Health and Walk Club, Grace Mochine (82), Leah Ncube (85) and Elizabeth Masengemi (79) inspired all around them doing the 5km run, earning applause from fellow runners from start to finish.

The 10km route took runners through the scenic suburbs of Greenside and Parkview, and runners got to go pass the very green Parkview Golf Course. The 5km route similarly took runners past the beautiful Johannesburg Botanical Gardens and Emmarentia Dam, with canoeists doing their rounds.

Also see: VIDEO: Irvette van Zyl wins the 10km Spar Women’s Challenge 

Irvette van Zyl won the 10km challenge in a time of 00:35:08, but it was runner-up Kesa Molotsane (00:35:27) who clinched the six-part Spar Grand Prix.

Noelene Conrad finished third in the run in a time of 00:36:39.

“It was a good competition and a good race,” said Van Zyl. “I was worried about Kesa’s kick. I know she can close the gap like anybody’s business. I was just pushing that last kilometre just to stay ahead.”

Molatsane said from the start she did not feel confident about winning. “Only at 8km I realised that I messed a bit of things up because you plan your race properly,” she said, adding that she was still happy because she did her best.

Afterwards, the band Denim entertained guests with great songs, before the prizes were handed out. Monyaku Kwanaite won herself a R15 000 Spar voucher, while Joan Edwards won a Suzuki Celerio.

Johannesburg Girls Preparatory School won a top-of-the-range computer and printing equipment for fielding 191 runners.

Also see: Shayne Robinson’s daily vlog: Big smiles at Spar Women’s Race 

Spar dazzles guests at Joburg run launch

Road closures, parking and entries – all you need to know before the Spar Women’s Race 

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