Gearing up for the Maritzburg SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge: Nonjabulo Mbambo and Lwandle Sokhela from Mzimba Primary School, Hannah Sewlal from Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School and Joanne McAllister and Alissa Norman from St John’s D.S.G.pic Rogan Ward

The countdown has begun for the Maritzburg SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge, with online early bird entries opening up for the race that takes place in the Capital, Pietermaritzburg on Sunday 18 August. 

Eager participants can opt for the more challenging 10km route, or the easier stretching of legs around the shorter 5km route. Continuing the theme of the Durban race, Maritzburg runners are encouraged to #ChooseYou on race day. The race organisers have capped the event at 3500 participants this year. 

Both races have an all-in start at 8am, running an out-and-back route from Princess Margaret Drive with both races finishing up in the centre of The Oval Cricket Stadium. After the race, SPAR KZN will be giving away various lucky draw prizes, so be sure to stay after the race to stand a chance to win. 

Winners Prizes

While this race is no longer included in the national SPAR Grand Prix Series it continues to offer lucrative prize money for category positions: the open category first prize is for R20 000, second position R15 000 and third R10 000, and various other age category prizes across the board up for grabs.

Other Prizes

A variety of lucky draw prizes will be awarded at prize giving, including a chance to win a car. All participants (18 plus and T&C’s apply) can enter the lucky draw where one race number will advance to the main draw for a Proton X50 valued at R449,000. Seven ladies from the seven races around the country must attend the glitzy SPAR Grand Prix prize-giving to qualify to win this car.

How to Enter

There are two ways to enter, the first is online for early bird entries - visit the race website at www.sparwomensrace.co.za/maritzburg or manually at Race Registration the two days before Sunday’s run. Online entries will cost R180 regardless of distance. If you do not have a KZNA / ASA club running license, you will require a temporary license for the 10km race which costs R50. Late entries will cost an extra R20 if entered manually at Race Registration. 

Bulk Entries

Teams of ten or more, can do bulk entry options (and yes, male supporters can join in too) can enter online and then collect them all at once. Email kzn@spar.run for more details. Bulk Entries closes on Monday 5 August and online entries closes on Sunday 11 August. Team leaders can pick up their team’s race packs all in one go on Friday, 16 August.

Registration

Race Registration takes place at The Oval Cricket Stadium on Friday 16 August from 10am – 5pm and on Saturday 17 August from 10am – 3pm. No race pack collections are allowed on race day. 

Official Charity

The official race charity for the PMB SPAR Women’s Challenge is the Childhood Cancer Foundation SA, specifically CHOC House in Pietermaritzburg. CHOC is a non-profit organisation that advocates for the health and well-being of children and teenagers diagnosed with cancer or life-threatening blood disorders and their families.

Make a note in your calendar, pencil in the date – Sunday 18 August to join us for a fabulously fun morning running around the picturesque part of Maritzburg for the SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge. 

For more info visit https://www.sparwomensrace.co.za/ or like the Challenge’s Facebook page or follow on Instagram.