Grand Prix Series Kicks Off

There is a very strong field for the SPAR Women’s 10 km Challenge with Bokomo at King’s Beach in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, and the race is expected to be closely contested.

The top contestants include  course record holder Rene Kalmer, who is currently ranked number one in South Africa in 10 kms and the half-marathon, South African marathon and 10 000 metres track champion, Poppy Mlambo and Tannith Maxwell, who finished second behind Mlambo in the South African marathon championships. The defending champion, Ronel Thomas, has torn a calf muscle, and will not be competing.

For the first time, runners in the Challenge can also earn points in the SPAR Grand Prix, with a chance of winning up to R50 000.  The winner collects 20 points, in addition to the three points awarded to all runners who finish in the top 30.  If she beats the winning time posted in last year’s Challenge, she will score additional points.

The points are accumulated over the five Challenge races, in Port Elizabeth, Durban, Pretoria, Cape Town and Johannesburg.  After the final race, the top 20 on the scoreboard will receive cash prizes, with the winner taking home R50 000.

Points are also awarded in age categories, and others taking part on Saturday who are likely to earn Grand Prix points are five times Comrades Marathon gold medallist, Grace de Oliveira, who is South Africa’s top veteran, and Sonja Laxton, South Africa’s top master.  Laxton will be taking part in her 55^th SPAR race on Saturday.

Kalmer, the course record holder, said she was looking forward to the race.  “The Port Elizabeth Challenge is one of my favourites,” she said.  “I’m feeling good, and if the weather is good and there is not too much wind, I’m going to try to get as close to my record as I can.”

She said the Grand Prix would be a huge boost for women’s road running in South Africa. “There will be less tactical running,” she said.  “Runners are going to try to get fast times, so that they can earn extra points.  I’m really excited about it.  I’ll be running all five races, and I am determined to be one of the contenders for the big prize.”

Mlambo said she expected Kalmer to be her strongest competitor in the race.  “It’s my first Port Elizabeth Challenge, and Rene has the advantage that she knows the route,” she said.  “But I’m fit and ready for the race – I’m in a good space right now.”

Mlambo was excited about the Grand Prix concept, although she would only be competing in three of the five races.

“It’s a good opportunity for runners to be able to stand the chance of winning some good money,” she said.  “It is good that you earn points even if you don’t win. This year, I’ll have to miss the Pretoria and Cape Town races, because I’ll be in Japan for the World Championships.  But some runner will be the lucky one, and she’ll go home with R50 000.  That’s good news for anyone.”        

Late entries will be taken at Kings Beach Car Park on Friday 4^th May from 09h00 till 20h00 and on Saturday 5^th May from 06h00 until before the race starts. For further race enquiries please contact Loynes Jenkerson from the SPAR Walmer Athletics Club on 041 581 5643 or 082 644 6422.