The SPAR Women’s Challenge Series is back, along with changes to the rules and an increase in the total prize money.
With the SPAR Women’s Challenge returning to full capacity following Covid-19 restrictions, 70 000 runners are expected to take part in the 2023 challenge.
For the first time since 2019, the SPAR Women’s Challenge races will be open to thousands of women in each of the six cities nationwide.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, no races were run in 2020 and in 2021; SPAR hosted six races in a limited format, giving the top runners an opportunity to compete and to earn money.
In 2022, the six races were spread out over six months, but numbers remained limited, with social runners taking part in a Virtual Challenge.
The 2023 SPAR Women’s Challenge will return with the popular 5km Fun Run that will be staged alongside the classic SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge, which incorporates the prestigious SPAR Grand Prix.
Former SPAR Grand Prix winner, Kesa Molotsane, is thrilled that the races are once again open to all.
“The SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge was a brilliant idea, but there is nothing quite like a real SPAR Women’s Challenge event.
“It’s so exciting to encounter the different cultures and personalities at these races. We were very grateful to SPAR that we were able to compete during the pandemic, but I think we all missed the festive atmosphere that always surrounds the SPAR Women’s Challenges.”
SPAR Group’s National Sponsorship and Events Manager, Charlene Subbarayan, is also delighted that the SPAR Women’s Challenges will once again involve thousands of women.
“SPAR is all about promoting healthy living and good health means a healthy lifestyle so what better way, than to get everyone out in the open air, training for the SPAR Women’s Challenge series. The SPAR Women’s Challenge offers us a way of thanking our customers by providing them with a day of fun and entertainment, with plenty of spot prizes at all the races.”
The President of Athletics South Africa (ASA), James Moloi, said the SPAR Women’s Challenge series is an important part of the South African athletics calendar.
“Many women get a taste for running after training to take part in these unique women-only races. The SPAR Grand Prix races also offer the elite runners an opportunity to test themselves and the presence of international athletes, who are drawn to the race by the lucrative prize money.”
This year, local athletes will win prizes in addition to the overall prize pool. In the 6 races, the first 2 South Africans across the finish line will win R10 000 and R5 000 respectively. They are eligible to collect the overall prizes as well, starting at R30 000 for a win, R25 000 for second place and R21 000 for third.
The prize pool for the overall SPAR Grand Prix has been restructured with the winner receiving R200 000, second place R100 000 and the prizes go down to tenth place.
This year there will also be a separate ‘competition within a competition’ for South African athletes, with the 5 top local runners taking home a total of R185 000 in addition to the money they win in the overall SPAR Grand Prix.
The total prize purse across the SPAR Grand Prix is now R1.9 million, 14% up on 2022.
This year, a runner’s four best performances in the SPAR Grand Prix races will count for points. This means that a runner can miss two races and still be competitive.
2023 SPAR GRAND PRIX CALENDAR:
Sunday, 23 April 2023 – Cape Town
Saturday, 27 May 2023 – Gqeberha
Sunday, 25 June 2023 – Durban
Saturday, 15 July 2023 – Mbombela
Saturday, 5 August 2023 – Tshwane
Sunday, 1 October 2023 – Johannesburg
Photo 1 Caption: The 2023 SPAR Women’s Challenge Series returns to full capacity, with increased prize money of R1.9 million, 14% up from 2022. Photo: Rogan Ward
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