Get into gear for the SPAR Women’s Race
Durban women are called to enter into the 2024 Durban SPAR Women's 5/10km Challenge which will be happening in June and has some phenomenal prizes to be won for competitors.
ENTRIES are open for the Durban SPAR Women’s 5/10km Challenge on Sunday, June 23. The 34th running of the popular race takes place in and around the Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium.
The success of South Africa’s Most Beautiful Road Race strides ahead, with entries for 2024 capped at 12 000. The uplifting theme for this year’s race is #ChooseYou with the underlying message of motivating oneself and encouraging women to prioritise self-care, both for their mental and physical well-being.
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“Our theme ‘Choose You’ amplifies our commitment to inspire a healthier community,” said Menelisi Luthuli, SPAR KZN marketing executive.
“In a world where external pressures often overshadow personal well-being, we encourage women to embark on a journey of self-care and self-discovery. SPAR advocates a balanced lifestyle where individuals prioritise their own needs alongside external demands, finding fulfilment in both. Ultimately, our theme this year emphasises that self-care isn’t selfish but rather crucial for lasting well-being and happiness.”
Two phenomenal, strong local women are the 2024 Race Ambassadors. Inspiring youth wherever she goes, one of the race ambassadors, sporting star and role model, Precious Mthembu, is the current Baby Proteas Coach, an educator at Danville Park Girls’ High School and she was a Protea Netball player, notching up 97 caps for South Africa. Joining her is Dr Marise Subrayan, an award-winning obstetrics and gynaecology specialist based at Durban’s St Augustine’s Hospital, who is passionate about educating and empowering women and girls about female-related health.
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The challenge route remains unchanged from the 2023 event, with the fast and flat ‘out-and-back’ course starting under the shadow of the Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium, on Masabalala Yengwa Avenue, and finishing on the outer fields of this iconic Durban landmark. The 10km race begins at 08:00 and the 5km race at 09:00.
Entries for the 2024 edition of the Durban event are online at www.sparwomensrace.co.za/durban. Online entries close at midnight on June 16. The online entry for the 10km run is R180, with a KZN Athletics Licence, or R230 with a temporary licence, and for the 5km, it is R180. Entries at race registration are R200 (with licence) and R250 (without licence) for the 10km and R200 for the 5km. Bulk entry collections are also available.
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At this Durban Challenge, a field of highly competitive runners will compete in the national SPAR Grand Prix Series that travels around South Africa. The total Series Prize Purse is sitting at over R1.68 million this year.
Prize money for the first female athlete crossing the line in Durban is R33 000 with the runner-up earning R25 000 and third place winning R20 000. The first South African woman across the line will also earn R10 000. There are also prizes for top age-category runners.
A variety of lucky draw prizes will be awarded at prize-giving, including a chance to win a car. All participants (18-plus and T&Cs apply) can enter the lucky draw where one race number will advance to the main draw for a Proton X50 valued at R449 000. Seven ladies from the seven races around the country must attend the glitzy SPAR Grand Prix prize-giving to qualify to win this car.
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