Excitement is building as thousands of women prepare to fill the streets of Johannesburg for the annual Spar Women’s Challenge, a day that celebrates fitness, unity, and women’s strength in all its forms.

Among those lacing up for the first time is Lee-Ann Basson, who said she’s both “excited and nervous” ahead of the big day.

“I think it’s going to be great, just the vibe itself. My main goal is to finish and enjoy the energy of the crowd,” she said with a smile.

Beyond the running and celebration, the event also carries a deeper purpose supporting organisations that make a tangible difference in women’s lives.

One such group is Reach for Recovery, represented at the challenge by Elizabeth Greet, who shared how their work brings comfort and dignity to women battling breast cancer.

Reach for Recovery supports women from the moment they are diagnosed. Volunteers visit hospitals, offering care bags that include information on recovery, diet, and gentle exercises.

Inside is also a small pillow designed to ease pain and provide comfort after a mastectomy.

“We fit the ladies with prostheses we measure them and give it to them for free,” Greet explained.

“Some of them come from far away and can’t afford to buy it. That’s why this sponsorship from Spar will help us buy more prostheses for women in need.”

The group operates from a room at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, where they continue to support women before and after surgery, offering not only physical help but also emotional and motivational support.

As Johannesburg gears up for one of its most uplifting events of the year, the Spar Women’s Challenge promises to be about more than just running it’s about women uplifting one another, from first-time participants chasing new goals to survivors finding strength in community.