IN A sold-out field of over 12 000 participants who took to the streets of Durban for the SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge on June 22, an experienced Amanzimtoti runner at over 70 years old completed the run.

Amanzimtoti Athletic Club’s Irene Bohmer had a phenomenal run, finishing second in her age category and an impressive 453^rd overall with her time of 01:07:07.

Also read: Nurturing young soccer talent in Isipingo

Another runner from the club, who the SUN previously chatted with, Margaret Botes, said she was incredibly happy to have beaten her previous record by two minutes at 01:06:00. She said, “We were in front and wore our club colours. The start was great and the route had nice water tables. I was feeling good and had a great run because of that. Prize giving at the end was awesome as there were lots of lucky draws.”

Leading the pack once again, defending series champion in the 2025 SPAR Grand Prix, Glenrose Xaba, extended her lead, producing yet another dominant performance. She sat back for most of the first half, but once the halfway mark was reached, she shook off her opponents and tore a path ahead to win comfortably in 31:54.

“Over the last two weeks I was racing internationally, and I haven’t had much time to recover, so I’m happy about the time I ran today. I’m just blessed to win today because it’s the first time I’ve won the Durban leg of this series. I usually finish second or third, or further back in the top 10, so I’m very happy,” said Xaba, who set a 5 000m personal best of 15:10.62 on the track in Paris earlier this month.

After the race, SPAR KZN presented the race charity, Sinethemba Women’s Foundation, based in Inanda, with a cheque for R100 000. Another lucky recipient was 5km participant, Roshini Reddy, who won a Hyundai Exter 1.2 Premium MT, valued at almost R270 000.

Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.