Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 119, June 2019

ADVERTORIAL CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF THE DURBAN SPAR WOMEN’S CHALLENGE Entries are open for the 30th edition of the much-loved Durban SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge, the race that started the now iconic national women’s running series. Taking place on Sunday 23 June, the race is set to yet again bring both top elites and social runners out for a terrific running experience. This list also includes two Durban favourites, Blanche Moila, who has appeared in the top three twice, and Grace de Oliveira, who won twice (1994 and 1995) and appeared in the top three four times. Both have run all the races since the event’s inception. TOP TALENT ON SHOW The event has come a long way since its first edition in 1990 with field of 2,200, when the now USA-based Colleen de Reuck won in a time of 34:16. Fast- forward to 2018, and the most recent edition was won by Zimbabwean-based Betha Chikanga, bagging the win in 33:07 at the head of a field of close to 14,000 participants. cash category prizes. Elite runners participating in the SPAR Women’s 10km Grand Prix Series will be vying to increase their standings on the leaderboard. Currently, Namibian runner Helalia Johannes (Nedbank) is in poll position having won the Port Elizabeth and Cape Town legs of the series. JOIN THE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS This year the race route remains the same as last year, starting in Masabalala Yengwa Avenue opposite the outer fields of Jonsson Kings Park Rugby Stadium, which is also the finish. Participants will receive a breakfast pack upon completion of the event, and are encouraged to remain after the race and enjoy the entertainment on offer, with some big lucky draw prizes up for grabs to mark the 30th birthday. Entry fees are R145 for a 10km non-licensed entrant, which will include a temp licence, R120 for a 10km licensed entrant and R120 for all 5km entrants. Entrants for the 10km challenge must be 14 years or Entries can be done online via the race website, and EFT payments close on 10 June, while credit card payments close on 17 June. A manual entry option is available, subject to the limit of 15,000 not having been reached, at race registration, which takes place in Hall 6 of the Durban Exhibition Centre on Thursday 20 June and Friday 21 June from 10:00 to 17:00, and Saturday 22 June from 10:00 to 15:00. All entrants will receive a promo bag at race registration. “Over 29 years, more than 330,000 women and girls, including a smattering of some rather enthusiastic men, have beaten a track around the City in a show of camaraderie, and spirit,” says Max Oliva, MD of SPAR KZN. “We look forward to continuing this wonderfully, colourful journey with thousands more like-minded fitness enthusiasts for many, many more years to come.” To enter online or for more race information, go to www.sparwomensrace.co.za/durban. Also, for more information, like the KZN SPAR Women’s Race Facebook page, or Twitter and Instagram accounts. Historically, the race route has remained fairly consistent around the Durban beachfront and CBD. The record time is still held by de Reuck, who clocked in at 31:38 in 2000, with the next best times being René Kalmer’s 32:27 in 2009 and 32:28 by Gwen Griffiths (van Rensburg) in 1991. To celebrate 30 years on, SPAR will award the winner of this race R30,000, as well as the usual 42 older, and for the 5km must be 9 years or older on the day of the race. ISSUE 119 JUNE 2019 / www.modernathlete.co.za ICONIC DURBAN, ICONIC RACE, ICONIC RUNNERS Celebrated Durban runners Blanche Moila and Grace de Oliveira training at Moses Mabhida Stadium, around which the Durban SPAR Women’s 10/5km race takes place. Both athletes have been part of every one of the 30 SPAR Durban races. O ver the years, the SPAR Women’s Challenge has seen many of South Africa’s top athletes taking part in the iconic Durban race, including a number of distinguished Olympians. In fact, many of the women who have finished in the top three of this race, are written in the annals of SA road-running history, including the likes of Zola Budd- Pieterse, Poppy Mlambo, Gwen Griffiths (van Lingen), Carlien Cornelissen, Nicole Fuller, Tanith Maxwell, the Kalmer sisters (René and Christine), the Phalula sisters (Lebogang and Lebo-Diana), Irvette van Zyl and Nolene Conrad, to name a few.

Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 119, June 2019 | Page 42