Women take the challenge on
Spar marketing director Mike Prentice congratulated all the runners. .
Recently, Emperors Palace was the place to be as SPAR Grand Prix Awards honoured South Africa’s top female road runners at a high-profile sports event.
Organisers calculated the runners accumulated points at the six Women’s Challenge races in Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Durban, Tshwane, Pietermaritzburg and Joburg.
The winner of the open category was Namibian runner Helalia Johannes from Nedbank, winning all six races in record time.
She won R185 000 for her efforts.
Johannes was followed by Tadu Naru, also from Nedbank, and Kesa Molotsane from Murray and Roberts, leaving Nedbank Running Club as the winners of the team category.
Last year’s winner, Glenrose Xaba from Boxer, finished in sixth place this year.
Series coordinator Ian Laxton said before the grand prix was officially running, SPAR was holding races for women since 1990.
“From the beginning, this series has been a nursery of running talent in South Africa,” he said.
“It motivates and develops talent.”
Sonja Laxton (71), Ian’s wife, ran her 100th SPAR race at the Joburg event.
SPAR also presented her with a R15 000 donation to her chosen charity, Goldilocks and the Bear Foundation.
She received a lifetime achievement award at the awards ceremony.
“I feel honoured and I thank SPAR for their R15 000,” said Sonja.
SPAR marketing director Mike Prentice congratulated all the runners.
“We saw South African runners raise their performance due to the introduction of international runners at the 13th annual series.
“SPAR gave away R900 000 in total prize money and saw 150 000 women participate across South Africa.”
The Category winners were:
Juniors
1 Tadu Naru (Nedbank)
2 Tayla Kavanagh (Murray and Roberts)
3 Chante Dixon (Murray and Roberts).
Age 40–49
1 Bulelwa Simae (Boxer)
2 Janene Carey (Boxer)
3 Charne Bosman (Murray and Roberts).
Age 50–59
1 Grace de Oliveira (Murray and Roberts)
2 Judy Bird (Murray and Roberts)
3 Maria Bendana (Morningside).
Age 60+
1 Olga Howard (Nedbank)
2 Margie Saunders (Nedbank)
3 Nancy Will (Pinelands).
