SPAR Women’s 10/5km: Durban: Sunday 7 June
Reclaiming its earlier winter date, the 26th SPAR Women’s 10/5km Durban race will take place on Sunday, June 7 on the welcoming and familiar flat course around the holiday city’s spectacular beachfront.
South Africa’s most beautiful race follows a scenic route with the majority of the 10km run along the seaside promenade with the inspiring back drop of the Indian Ocean and the Blue Lagoon Green Hub. Over 6km of the course is run along the water’s edge with breathtaking views of the ocean skyline and through the Moses Mabhida Stadium precinct.
The two-distance race (10km and 5km) follows the same route as the 2014 event, around the Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead precinct with staggered start times: the 10km race begins at 8am and the 5km race at 9am from Masabala Yengwa Avenue going north. After the Moses Mabhida precinct, the route moves east into the newly renovated Blue Lagoon hub followed by a long straight stretch along the beachfront, offering opportunities for elite competitors to really accelerate their run. After this it steers back west to the finish at Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead.
Additional inspiration to compete seriously is provided by SPAR’s Grand Prix series which sees top athletes vying for the honours in five race fixtures (Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg) to accrue placement points, with the ultimate goal of winning a coveted R150,000 in cash this year.
With only one race completed in the 2015 Grand Prix series, 2013 overall winner Mapaseka Makhanya (Nedbank) so far leads the pack after having won the Cape Town race in record time, bagging herself 20 points for the win and an 10 extra points for a record time of 32.54.
But it looks like the Kalmer sisters (Rene and Christine) who featured in the top five in the recent Cape Town race, and last year’s Durban winner, Lebogang Phalula and her twin sister Diana-Lebo, will be offering Makhanya a full run for her money, as the stakes are very high this year. Not only is there a massive cash prize up for grabs, but the need to do well is paramount: 2015 is an important year for many of the South African top athletes, as they try to either qualify for the world athletics championships in Beijing in August this year, or for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. “So this year’s race, may provide for some truly exciting attempts at some personal bests, and records.” enthuses Race Director, Brad Glasspoole
“We are pleased that we have been able to secure the same route as we used last year for the SPAR race,” says Glasspoole. “It really is a fine course that is enjoyed immensely by the social runners, but also highly valued by the elite runners as they are able to push themselves to their limits on the long straight stretches of road.”
“We are looking forward to hosting some of the country’s top road-runners as they use these competitive, yet highly social races as important milestones in their training.” says Rob Philipson, MD of SPAR. “But this race is not only about the serious runners, it is about the social runners and walkers who are here to enjoy the camaraderie of womenhood, to share the moment and enjoy the challenge of participating, and ultimately enjoying a healthier lifestyle.”
“We are also pleased to announce that R5 from every entry will be donated to KZN Athletics to be used to improve the nutritional intake of athletes in their District Athletics Development programme. Last year we were thrilled to be able to donate R67 000 to this programme, and hope to top that this year.” says Philipson.
This year, the official race charity will be the Mercury Hibberdene Children’s Holiday Home. R2 from each entry will go to the home, and online entrants have an option to make additional donations.
‘We also have over R65,000 in lucky draw prizes to be won after the race at Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead” says Glasspoole, “So we would like to encourage people to stay on afterwards and enjoy the live music and the chance to win big.”
Entries will be limited to 17,500. Race registration will be at the SunZone at Suncoast located off the promenade on Thursday 4 June and Friday 5 June from 10am to 5pm and on Saturday 6 June from 10am to 3pm. Two entry options are available: online at www.sparwomensrace.co.za with payment by credit card, or manual entries which will only be accepted at the race registration on the three days prior to the event. Entry forms will be available from participating SUPERSPAR, SPAR and KWIKSPAR stores in KwaZulu-Natal. No entries will be taken on race day.
As a special bonus for online and bulk entries, Fordoun Hotel & Spa are offering a lucky draw prize of three nights accommodation for two people valued at over R11,000.
A ride through the actual race route is posted on YouTube - search for SPAR WOMEN’S 10/5KM RACE SIMULATION – DURBAN.
To enter online, go to http://www.sparwomensrace.co.za/durban-home/ - online entries are now open. Entry forms will also be available in SPAR stores from mid-April.
For more info email durban@sparwomensrace.co.za, like the Facebook page SPAR Women’s 10/5km Race or follow on Twitter SPARLadiesRace for up to the minute postings.
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