Our Modern Athlete Brand Ambassador ’ s Blog
KALMER ’ S
CORNER kalmer ’ s corner by RENÉ KALMER
A Date With Spar
Last month hubby and I were very excited to dress up and head out for our first ‘ date night ’ since becoming a family of four . My sister , Christine , volunteered to babysit the evening in preparation for her baby that is due in August . Boetie Ivan did not disappoint , and gave Christine the full experience ... luckily ‘ wingman ’ Karli was ready to assist with the nasty diaper change !
Looking Forward to a Run
The SPAR Virtual Challenge will take place on 4 September . What an awesome way to celebrate Spring ! 75,000 entries are available countrywide , and for only R60 you will get a beautiful Spring-themed T-shirt , buff and medal . But wait , there ’ s more ! For every entry received this year , SPAR will donate a pack of sanitary pads to help keep a girl in school . Just imagine the difference 75,000 packs of sanitary pads can make to young girls in South Africa . I ’ m also proud to say that SPAR ’ s Petal Project is supplying the girls from the Vorentoe Running Academy , a cause that is close to my heart , with sanitary pads for the year .
Proud to once again be a Spar Grand Prix Ambassador
Images : Courtesy SPAR , René Kalmer
Meanwhile , it was so refreshing not to be going to a restaurant with a play area for Karli and a changing station for Ivan . Instead , we headed to The Maslow Hotel , Time Square , for a date with my favourite people from SPAR , for the launch of South Africa ’ s Most Beautiful Virtual Challenge that evening .
SPAR hosted a spectacular evening , and for a moment it felt like the good old days , seeing all the familiar faces , except of course for all the proper COVID protocols that were in place . On arrival , all guests were issued a beautiful pink face mask , with the 2021 theme # LiveLimitless printed on the front . I think it is a most appropriate theme , after we have all been faced with different challenges and obstacles during this pandemic .
Unfortunately , no hugs were allowed , but it was lovely to see all the friendly faces from my extended SPAR family . It was so good to see all the former Grand Prix winners , like Poppy , Mapaseka , Lebo , Lebogang , Kesa , Glenrose and Irvette . It was also great catching up with Irvette after her record-breaking 50km in Gqeberha ( Port Elizabeth ) a few days before .
There is also more exciting news , as the Grand Prix series is back in 2021 ! The format will be different to previous years , in order to adhere to all COVID protocols , and unfortunately no spectators will be allowed , but we are all super excited to get racing again . Instead of the traditional mass participation events where we race , SPAR has introduced six Invitational Women ’ s 10km races to give top runners the opportunity to shine and earn prize money , as they have not been competing and earning an income over the last year due to COVID-19 .
These six races will take place in Durban , Pretoria , Pietermaritzburg Cape Town , Johannesburg and Gqeberha . Two Million Rand in total prize money is on offer at the 2021 Spar Grand Prix series , and on behalf of all the elite runners , I want to thank SPAR for its continued support and commitment to the professional running community . Despite very challenging circumstances , the company has really gone out of its way to keep on supporting this sport we all love so much !
It is also a great honour to once again be named a SPAR Grand Prix ambassador , along with fellow Murray & Roberts teammate , Kesa Molotsane . Not a lot of people know this , but I was one of Kesa ’ s teachers at Navalsig High in Bloemfontein back in 2006 . I recently came across a Facebook message that then young Kesa sent me before the 2008
Face masks with an inspirational message
Olympic Games in Beijing , China . It is amazing to have witnessed how Kesa has developed into a fine young woman , breaking barriers on and off the track . I ’ m also proud to add my congratulations to her for her recent selection as Vice-Chairperson of the ASA Athlete ’ s Commission .
I would like encourage all the women out there to put on those running shoes and # LiveLimitless by joining us virtually for a run or walk on 4 September .
Great to catch up with new World Recordbreaking Irvette
About the Author
René Kalmer is a two-time Olympian , having represented SA in the 1500m at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and in the marathon at the 2012 London Games . She has also won more than 40 SA titles in track , road and cross country at youth , junior and senior level , in distances from 800m to the half marathon .
21