Exciting SPAR
Finale in Joburg
The SPAR Women’s Challenge Joburg
on Sunday 6 October will bring the exciting
2019 Spar Women’s Challenge Series to a
grand finish, and it looks set to be a great
day out for all the thousands upon thousands
of runners and walkers taking on the 10km
Challenge and 5km Fun Run in ‘Joburg’s Most
Beautiful Road Race.’
IDEAL RACING CONDITIONS
Joburg has been basking in unusually warm conditions the last two months,
heralding an earlier start to spring than usual, which in turn has seen thousands of
women all over Joburg and its surrounding areas taking to the streets to prepare for
this year’s SPAR race and fun run. The excitement has been building for this one,
and everybody is looking forward to a great day’s racing, as well as receiving their
awesome SPAR goodie bags and medals when they finish the race.
ELITES’ GRAND PRIX UP FOR GRABS
Five races, five wins, five new course records, three Namibian national records),
the fastest time ever run on SA soil by a woman, and maximum points – that’s
what Helalia Johannes has managed thus far in the 2019 Spar Women’s Challenge
Series. This has her leading the Grand Prix competition on 150 points, 16 points
ahead of Ethiopia’s Tadu Nare, who finished second in all five races. However, the
Namibian will be competing for her country in the IAAF World Champs Marathon
in Qatar, on 27 September, and will only decide close to SPAR race day whether
to compete. If she misses the Joburg race, it could see Nare snatch the title. Third
position is also up for grabs, with South Africans Kesa Molotsane (107 points) and
Irvette van Zyl (102) looking set for a showdown in Joburg.
FASTISH COURSE FOR GOOD TIMES
October is a lovely month in Joburg, so we urge as many people as possible to
come along and take on the Challenge. Also, race day is very much a family day –
there is a large kiddies area, where children can be left to have supervised fun while
Mom runs her race. There is plenty of secure parking, food outlets galore, and a
top line-up of live entertainment, so bring the whole family!
GIVING BACK TO THOSE LESS FORTUNATE
The race is also about giving back to the community, with several initiatives
associated with the race. The designated charity is Reach for Recovery, a support
group for women who have to undergo mastectomies, staffed by volunteers who
have themselves gone through the process. Another initiative is the “Drop a pair
to show you care” drive, with entrants asked to bring along old running shoes
or trainers, to be passed on to people who have none. Hundreds of people have
benefited from this drive in the past.
AND REMEMBER... LATE ENTRIES WILL BE TAKEN
Online entries closed on September 24 and store entries closed on 27 September,
but late entries will be available at Marks Park Sports Club from 2 October to
5 October (10am to 4pm) and on 6 October (6am to 7:30am), if still available
and subject to confirmation. So there’s no reason to miss out on being part of
Joburg’s Most Beautiful Race on Sunday 6 October!
In 2017, the race moved to Marks Park Sports Club in Emmarentia, to
accommodate the growing number of entries as well as the thousands of
spectators who come out to support the event. This has proven to be a very
popular venue for the 10km Challenge and the 5km Fun Run, nestled as it is in the
leafy suburbs of Greenside and Emmarentia. The 10km route is challenging, but
not too difficult, and the 5km Fun Run takes in beautiful Emmarentia Dam and the
adjoining Botanical Gardens.
MAKE IT A FAMILY DAY OUT
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Spar Women’s Challenge | Joburg’s Most Beautiful Road Race