SPAR Women’s Challenge reflects on 2023 Best of Pretoria award win

Voting has started in the 2024 Best of Pretoria Readers’ Choice Awards and our readers are once again choosing their favourites.

One of last year’s favourites hoping to take the title again this year is the SPAR Women’s Challenge, which was voted Best Race in 2023.

This year’s race was held on Saturday, August 3, at Centurion SuperSport Park.

Race organiser Retha Ingenbleek said the race was created for the community, so being recognised and voted Best Race was an honour.

“[It] means that we are listening to our community and provide an event catered for them to enjoy.

“It means we are aligned to our customers and community,” Ingenbleek said.

She said the Pretoria community was special, defined by the willingness to get involved and make a difference from within.

As the reigning Best Race in Pretoria 2023, Ingenbleek said that the win was an important sign that they were doing something right.

“It determines the success of our event because it is based on loyalty.

It also means that we are listening to what our communities want,” she added.

Last year, the SPAR Women’s Challenge returned from a three-year hiatus following the Covid 19 pandemic, attracting thousands to the 5km or 10km routes.

The race began with a humble 600 racers in 1996 at the University of Pretoria’s Groenkloof campus, and can now boast an expected 15 000 participants this year.

She said that Tshwane residents could look forward to a day of camaraderie united by the peach-coloured t-shirts and local women’s empowerment.

“What makes Pretoria special is the city’s culture,” explained Ingenbleek.

“They are loyal, and people who love people. They engage, talk, and get their hands dirty when they see a difference.”

With voting for this year’s Best of Pretoria Readers’ Choice Awards opening on August 6, the competition is hotting up for the city’s cream of the crop in several categories.

Ingenbleek said the key to getting the attention of the voters is communication.

“They want to be part of the process,” she said.

“People want to support recognised events or companies; they want value for money and an award is testimony to servicing a need in the community in an efficient and effective way.”

If you would like to vote for your favourites in the 2024 Best of Pretoria Awards, do so today by visiting https://www.bestofsouthafrica.co.za/pretoria/.

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