Tshwane leg of SPAR Grand Prix launched

The Tshwane leg of the prestigious SPAR Grand Prix, part of the 2024 SPAR Women’s Challenge Tshwane, was launched at a prestigious event held in the heart of Pretoria yesterday.

The highly anticipated race is scheduled to take place on August 3 at 14:00 at SuperSport Park in Centurion.

Participants can enter online or at selected SPAR stores across the region.

This will be the third leg of the five-race SPAR Grand Prix series, the largest and richest women-only road running series in the world.

Top athletes who will represent South Africa at the Olympic Games in Paris later this year attended the launch, including Olympic hopefuls Cian Oldknow and Irvette van Zyl, and celebrated Olympians LJ Van Zyl, René Kalmer, and Caster Semenya. Their attendance highlighted the race’s importance in the South African sporting calendar.

Ralph Rajagopaul, SPAR North Rand marketing executive, welcomed the guests. His arrival in a SPAR2U mellow van was particularly notable. The electric vehicle demonstrates SPAR’s dedication to sustainability and a greener future, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change.

Rajagopaul commented: “The SPAR Women’s Challenge Tshwane is more than just a race; it’s a movement that celebrates and empowers women. This year, we continue our mission to support girls in developing communities, ensuring they have the resources to live healthy and fulfilled lives. We are proud to be part of this journey towards empowerment and well-being.

“The event also honoured the top runners who will participate in the SPAR Grand Prix Series, the most prestigious series of its kind on the continent. This year, the series boasts a prize purse exceeding R2m, underlining its status as a significant event in African athletics.”

The Women’s Challenge Tshwane is committed to charitable causes. This year, the focus is improving sanitary health among young girls in developing communities.

“In a significant gesture of support, Semenya will receive the first donation of over 1 000 packets of SPAR Petal Sanitary Pads that will aid numerous development programmes that she champions, furthering her work in empowering young women.”

The campaign hashtag this year is #ChooseYou. The theme is a mighty rallying cry for women participating in the SPAR Women’s Challenge Tshwane. It encourages women to prioritise themselves, their dreams, and their well-being amid the demands of daily life.

Another good reason to take part in the SPAR Women’s Challenge Tshwane is that all entrants over the age of 18 will be in line to win a Proton X50, a compact SUV that blends innovation and power, valued at R450 000.

“As the main sponsor and organiser, SPAR’s involvement extends beyond financial support. Its messaging revolves around celebrating women’s achievements, fostering solidarity among participants, and promoting a culture of empowerment. Through strategic partnerships and community engagement, SPAR reinforces its commitment to championing women’s causes and making a tangible difference in women’s lives across Tshwane.”