History of Race
33 Years of the SPAR Durban Women ’ s Challenge !
We are so pleased to be back in full force this year . 2023 marks our 33rd edition which began back in 1990 with a mere 2,200 participants . In 2019 we celebrated 30 years , and in 2020 we navigated lock down and COVID 19 , in 2021 we were able to do virtual race with a Grand Prix , and in 2022 we once again hosted the Grand Prix for elite runners , but also managed to slip in a 5km fun run at the last minute alongside the national virtual race .
Throughout the years , the SPAR Women ’ s Challenge has witnessed many of South Africa ’ s finest athletes , including several esteemed Olympians , achieve victory . Some of these accomplished sportswomen who secured top positions in the race have etched their names in the annals of SA road-running history . Among these notable individuals are Zola Budd-Pieterse , Poppy Mlambo , Gwen Griffiths ( van Lingen ), Carlien Cornelissen , Nicole Fuller , Tanith Maxwell , the Kalmer sisters – Rene and Christine , the Phalula sisters – Lebogang and Lebo-Diana , Irvette van Zyl , and Nolene Conrad , to mention a few .
Of course , this distinguished list also includes two beloved figures from Durban : Blanche Moila , who achieved a top-three finish twice , and Grace de Oliveira , who triumphed in 1994 and 1995 and secured top-three finishes on four occasions . Blanche has participated in this race since its inception and Grace since 1992 .
RESULTS AND ENTRIES SINCE 1990
1990 ( 2 200 participants ) |
1 . |
Colleen de Reuck |
34:16 |
2 . |
Gwen van Rensburg |
34:48 |
3 . |
Madaleine Olivier |
35:12 |
1994 ( 3 900 participants ) |
1 . |
Grace de Oliveira |
34:55 |
2 . |
Ronel Scheepers |
35:23 |
3 . |
Blanche Moila |
36:03 |
Grace recently ran her 100 th SPAR race in Gqeberha in May , and Durban will be her 101 st !
Since its humble beginnings this much-loved women ’ s event has come a long way , and many have tried to replicate it , but it remains true to its core – at the heart is honouring and celebrating women , and the coming together of a sisterhood from all walks of life .
In 1990 , Colleen de Reuck , a South African athlete now based in the USA , claimed victory with a time of 34:16 . She also held the race record from 2000 until Helalia Johannes from Namibia – broke this with an incredible finish of 31:18 knocking off 20 seconds from de Reuck ’ s win of 31:38 .
The race route has historically remained largely consistent , winding around Durban ’ s beachfront and central business district .
1998 ( 7 800 participants ) |
1 . |
Gwen Griffiths |
34:26 |
2 . |
Nicole Fuller |
34:30 |
3 . |
Alta Verster |
34:56 |
1991 ( 2 500 participants ) |
1 . |
Gwen van Rensburg |
32:38 |
2 . |
Zola Pieterse |
32:41 |
3 . |
Colleen de Reuck |
37:10 |
1992 ( 3 200 participants ) |
1 . |
Nicole Whiteford |
34:04 |
2 . |
Grace de Oliveira |
35:17 |
3 . |
Blanche Miola |
35:52 |
1993 ( 3 600 participants ) |
1 . |
Nicole Whiteford |
33:47 |
2 . |
Grace de Oliveira |
34:52 |
3 . |
Debbie van Rensburg |
35:27 |
1995 ( 4 300 participants ) |
1 . |
Grace de Oliveira |
34:45 |
2 . |
Jenefer Bam |
35:48 |
3 . |
Janene Murphy |
36:42 |
1996 ( 4 600 participants ) |
1 . |
Nicole Fuller |
33:10 |
2 . |
Grace de Oliveira |
33:48 |
3 . |
Elizabeth Mongudhi |
34:17 |
1997 ( 6 300 participants ) |
1 . |
Carlien Cornellissen |
33:55 |
2 . |
Julie Cardwell |
34:08 |
3 . |
Margaret Mahohoma |
34:33 |
12 Spar Women ’ s Challenge Grand Prix Series | Durban , 25 Junr 2023