Hundreds of people came to participate and support their loved ones in the 2022 Spar women’s Grand prix 10km series on Saturday.

The 10km race was held at the Irene Athletics Club Race Venue, Agricultural Research Centre (ARC) on Saturday.

It underlined the importance of the race to the elite women athletes taking part annually.

The gates opened early in the morning and the race started at 08:00 with women singing the national anthem, which was livestreamed.

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Spar grand Prix ambassador, Thandy Matlaila, said she supported the runners and got to know how they feel about the race.

“Spar Grand Prix Ambassador is one of the most beautiful races I have ever come across and that’s why I am part of it,” she said.

What she liked most about the race was that before the race, the women were united as they got together at the starting line and sang the national anthem together.

“For me that was beautiful.

“It was the fourth race in the series. There are two more left. This was the toughest race they have in Tshwane,” said Matlaila.

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She encouraged women to fly the South African flag high and motivate each other and not intimidate each other.

Race Director Wynand Breytenbach said the route was reasonably tough but they still expected fast times.

He said last year’s route was challenging, but quite a few runners scored personal best times.

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That race was run on a loop course and was contained inside the ARC precinct because of Covid restrictions,

“This year there were some hills, but nothing too hectic. “The race started and finished in the ARC and went through the South Downs College and the South Downs Estate before returning to the ARC,” said Breytenbach.

Entertainment at the event was provided by local artists.

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