SPAR Women’s Challenge fans go all out
A young Pretoria resident tells about his commitment to the SPAR Women's Race and what the event has already meant to him for the past ten years.
From all walks of life, fitness levels, men and women – the biggest SPAR Women’s Challenge fans are showing their love on social media and gearing up for the 2018 race as excitement builds around race entries.
Pretoria resident and administrative assistant, Jean Brink (26), is one of the fans who returns to take part in the race year after year. He recently shared his experiences of the race on Facebook.
The 2018 race will be his 11th race as he has been taking part since 2008 at the age of 15 and has not missed a race since.
“What keeps me coming back every year is the amazing atmosphere. Every year there is a different theme and different celebrities to meet, take photos with and get autographs from,” said Brink.
As for this year’s theme, Brink said that, as always, it has given participants something to live up to.
“This year I am helping my best friend, Anzel van Schalkwyk, find her wings by bringing her along to run with me. She has wanted to do the race so many times but life always got in the way so this year we are making sure that she will be there,” he explained.
Brink said that Van Schalkwyk (27) who has been on a weight loss and training journey has lost an astonishing 17kg so far and that taking part in the race with him will be a major milestone for her.
In high school, Brink was a keen runner and was thinking about entering marathons but didn’t know where to start.
“By sheer happenstance, in 2008 I was in a SPAR store and saw the race adverts. I picked up an entry form and took part in my first race and ever since then I have been a part of it,” he said.
Participants who have come back every year and bring friends and family along with them are creating a network of people who in turn introduce new participants to the race every year to experience the energy of race day at SuperSport Park Stadium.
Brink took his aunt, Alida Jones (56), with him the next year (2009) and she has joined him every year since. In fact, she now also brings her daughter along with her every year.
“With the race being in Centurion, the Gautrain makes it really convenient for us to go as a group,” said Brink.
He is also immensely proud of his collection of official race t-shirts and medals.
“I have never ‘glammed up’ my race shirts because I treasure them too much. I am even scared of getting them dirty. The only shirt that has been changed is my first shirt from the 2008 race which I bring with me every year to have celebrity autographs signed on it. I’ve got so many autographs on it including Ryk Neethling and the 7de Laan cast,” he said proudly.
Every year when Brink sees news of the the first leg of the series taking place in Cape Town in April, that is his signal to start training.
Race fans should visit the SPAR Women’s Challenge Pretoria Facebook page to show their love for the race by entering the weekly #FindYourWings and “No1 Fan” competition. There are great prizes to be won including a Jenna Clifford necklace and access to the VIP Suite on race day.
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