Runners gear up for annual women’s challenge

It’s that time of year again when Vryheid’s women runners get ready for the annual SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge. The good news is that entries are open for this 34th event that takes place in and around Kings Park Stadium on June 23.
The entries for 2024 will be 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.

“The theme ‘Choose You’ amplifies commitment to inspire a healthier community,” says Menelisi Luthuli (Marketing Executive, SPAR KZN). “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.”
The two women who are the 2024 race ambassadors are Precious Mthembu and Dr Marise Subrayan. Mthembu is a sporting star and role model who is the current Baby Proteas coach. She is an educator at Danville Park Girls’ High School and was a Protea netball player, notching up 97 caps for South Africa. Subrayan is 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.

The route remains unchanged from the 2023 event, with the fast and flat ‘out-and-back’ course starting under the shadow of Kings Park Stadium in 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 can be obtained 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 R180 for the 5km. 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.

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 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.

For more information, visit the race website, ‘like’ the SPAR Women’s Race KZN Facebook page (SPARWomens10and5kmRace) or follow on Instagram (sparwomenskzn) or Twitter (sparladiesrace).

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The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.