Spar Women’s Challenge has come a long way

The Pretoria leg of the Spar Women’s Challenge has grown from humble beginnings to one of the world’s biggest road races.

This challenge is the most popular and inclusive road race in South Africa, attracting the country’s top professional female athletes and a vast range of recreational runners. The race began in 1999 with just 600 entrants racing along the University of Pretoria’s Groenkloof campus.

Today, more than 25,000 entrants from around Gauteng run through Centurion’s streets, starting at SuperSport Park stadium for the Pretoria leg, looping back along both a 5km and 10km route. Participants include Olympians, top age-group competitors, and many thousands who run for charity and to achieve their own personal goals. An estimated 15 000 spectators turn out in support of the event, along with hundreds of print and broadcast media.

The Pretoria race is a key part of the Spar Grand Prix series – the only competition of its kind in South African road running. It allows outstanding women runners to score points over the series of five Spar Women’s 10km races, and be eligible for cash prizes and other rewards. The Spar Women’s Challenge is the premier event of the Gauteng road running calendar.

Entries for the Pretoria leg are now open and are available in Spar stores or at www.spawomensrace.co.za.

Stay on top of the latest race news, enter exciting competitions and show your support by Liking the Spar Women’s Challenge Pretoria Facebook Page or following @SPARladiespta on Twitter.