South Africa’s top women athletes have something to celebrate – the SPAR Grand Prix will be back this year.

There was no SPAR Grand Prix in 2020 because of the global Covid-19 pandemic.

However, Corona virus protocols mean that the SPAR Grand Prix will be much smaller this year. It will take place over six races in six cities, but only a limited number of 250 top athletes will be allowed to enter the races.

The public, who have participated in this series in their thousands over the years, will once again have the opportunity to take part in a virtual race on 4 September, which will be known as the SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge.

For the top athletes participating in the 2021 SPAR Grand Prix, attractive prize money will be at stake. Each race will have prize money of a handsome R100 000.  The ultimate winner of the SPAR Grand Prix will receive R185 000.  The runner who comes second will win R75 000 and the third-placed runner will receive R45 000. The total prize money this year, for the six races and the SPAR Grand Prix, is more than two-million Rand.

SPAR was approached by Athletics South Africa (ASA) and the Department of Sport and Recreation to assist roadrunners who have been unable to earn money because of the Corona Virus pandemic. After consultations with ASA and the government, it was decided to limit each race to 250 runners, with no spectators allowed.  Entry is strictly by invitation, and the six races will be known as the SPAR Grand Prix 10km Invitational.

The specific venues for the six host cities have still to be confirmed.  The races will be run over two 5km loops. Invitations will be issued to girls and women in all age categories, from junior to the over-70s.

The first SPAR Invitational Grand Prix race will be in Durban on June 27.  That will be followed by the Pretoria race on August 7 and the Pietermaritzburg Invitational on August 22.  The Cape Town Invitational takes place on September 4 and the Johannesburg race will be run on October 3.  The final race will be in Port Elizabeth on October 9.

Each race will be live-streamed and a highlights package will be broadcast on SABC TV.

There will be no SPAR Challenge series this year.  Instead, women around the country will be encouraged to enter the SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge which will be presented on 4 September.

SPAR Group Marketing Executive Mike Prentice said the company was delighted to be able to host the SPAR Grand Prix again.

“The SPAR Grand Prix is one of our premier sponsorships. Many of our top women have benefited financially from the SPAR Grand Prix, which has made a significant difference to their lives. We were very happy to work with ASA and the Government and to reinstate the SPAR Grand Prix, which had to be cancelled last year.  We hope that in 2022, we can go back to the old format, with thousands of women and girls taking part in the six races.  We hope that they will turn out in droves for the exciting new-look SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge later this year,” said Prentice.

James Moloi, the President of Athletics South Africa said SPAR is a big friend of athletics and has been so for many years.

“Through SPAR’s involvement with this unique six-part race, they have unearthed new gems, motivated those elite athletes seeking fame and fortune, and revived the hopes and drive of many female athletes. And despite having to cancel their ever-popular SPAR Women’s Challenge series due to the pandemic, they have been creative in coming up with the hosting of a women’s only virtual challenge which is greatly appreciated by ASA and our 17 Member Provinces,” Moloi remarked.

According to Moloi, virtual events like the SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge have given hope to serious and social athletes who love to run and walk, to compete or simply to keep fit and healthy.

Three-time SPAR Grand Prix winner, Rene Kalmer, said the return of the series is very exciting news.

“It gives people a reason to train, knowing there is something like this on the horizon.  The past year has been very tough for runners because they haven’t been able to earn any money from running.  Some runners, and their families, depend on their income from running,” Kalmer concluded.

For more information and to find out how to enter, visit www.sparvirtualchallenge.co.za. Entries are limited to 75 000 participants – enter now to avoid disappointment.

See the video of the launch of the 2021 SPAR Grand Prix and SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge at the following link:

https://fb.watch/5KIHqfcbR-/

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