Beautiful race is back
The country's most beautiful race, the Spar Women's 10/5km will return to Durban this winter on Sunday 7 June.
SOUTH Africa's most beautiful race returns to its cool winter date in the 26th Spar Women's 10/5km Durban race on Sunday, 7 June.
The race follows the familiar flat, scenic route with the majority of the 10km run along the seaside promenade with the inspiring back drop of the Indian Ocean and the Blue Lagoon Green Hub. Over 6km of the course is run along the water’s edge with breathtaking views of the ocean skyline and through the Moses Mabhida Stadium precinct.
The two-distance race (10km and 5km) follows the same route as the 2014 event, around the Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead precinct with staggered start times: the 10km race begins at 8am and the 5km race at 9am from Masabala Yengwa Avenue going north. After the Moses Mabhida precinct, the route moves east into the newly renovated Blue Lagoon hub followed by a long straight stretch along the beachfront, offering opportunities for elite competitors to really accelerate their run. After this it steers back west to the finish at Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead.
Additional inspiration to compete seriously is provided by Spar’s Grand Prix series which sees top athletes vying for the honours in five race fixtures to accrue placement points, with the ultimate goal of winning a coveted R150,000 in cash this year.
Race director, Brad Glasspoole said, “The route really is a fine course that is enjoyed immensely by the social runners, but also highly valued by the elite runners as they are able to push themselves on the long straight stretches of road.”
“We are looking forward to hosting some of the country’s top road-runners as they use these competitive, yet highly fun races as important milestones in their training,” Rob Philipson, MD of SPAR. “But this race is not only about the serious runners, it is about the social runners and walkers who are here to enjoy the camaraderie of womenhood, the challenge of participating, and ultimately a healthier lifestyle.”
R5 from every entry will be donated to KZN Athletics to be used to improve the nutritional intake of athletes in their District Athletics Development programme. “Last year we were thrilled to be able to donate R67 000 to this programme, and hope to top that this year,” said Philipson. R2 from each entry will also go to the Mercury Hibberdene Children’s Holiday Home.
“We also have over R65,000 in lucky draw prizes to be won after the race at Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead,” added Glasspoole, “So we would like to encourage people to stay on afterwards and enjoy the live music and the chance to win big.”
Entries are limited to 17,500. Race registration is at the SunZone at Suncoast on Thursday, 4 and Friday, 5 June from 10am to 5pm and on Saturday 6 June from 10am to 3pm. Online entries are officially open at www.sparwomensrace.co.za with payment by credit card, or manual entries which will only be accepted at the race registration days. Entry forms will be available from participating SuperSpar, Spar and KwikSpar stores.
As a special bonus for online and bulk entries, Fordoun Hotel & Spa are offering a lucky draw prize of three nights accommodation for two people valued at over R11,000.
Email durban@sparwomensrace.co.za, or like the Facebook page SPAR Women’s 10/5km Race or follow on Twitter (SPARLadiesRace) for up to the minute postings.
