Not even the threat of rain could dampen the spirit when the Johannesburg SPAR 10km Challenge took place at the Old Parktonian Sports Club in Randburg on Sunday.
The Johannesburg challenge, which was won by Irvette van Zyl, was turning 21 this year and SPAR‘s Belinda Nel says its success exceeded their expectations.
“This year was very successful and the overcast weather was conducive to running,” Nel says.
“We had more people than we were expecting. We were expecting around twelve thousand people and the number was closer to twelve and a half thousand. We raised more money for Reach for Recovery because we had more people which was great.”
Olympic medallist Bridgitte Hartley, who was part of the celebrity relay team with former Miss SA Nicole Flint and SuperSport presenter Romy Titus, was running her first SPAR race and says she really enjoyed the experience.
“I was involved in the relay but I decided to run the entire 10km. It was nice weather for running as it was overcast and cool. The atmosphere was great; it was also great to see so many men running in drag.”
This was Flint’s second Johannesburg SPAR 10km Challenge and she says she is definitely coming back again next year as well. “Breast cancer awareness and cancer awareness in general is an issue that is very close to my heart.”
“I lost my brother in-law last year to prostate cancer and being able to raise awareness and help raise funds for cancer is wonderful. Cancer doesn’t discriminate and I know how painful it is to lose someone you care about to it.”
“It’s also incredible to see so many ladies of all ages and sizes taking part in the race. It becomes bigger and better every time.”
SuperSport presenter Romy Titus has also been closely affected by cancer and wants do everything in her power to support cancer awareness groups like Reach for Recovery.
“Cancer runs in both sides of my family. My grandma, aunt and one of my cousins had breast cancer. It’s not just a day out for me; it’s about raising awareness about an issue that is close to my heart.”
“This race is amazing. This year was the second year I’ve ran it and it seems to grow every year. The organisation, the route and the people were all wonderful. You see people from all walks of life doing it,” she says.
The Johannesburg SPAR 10km Challenge is one of five races which make up the SPAR Grand Prix Series, which was won this year by Olympian and Nedbank Sport Ambassador Rene Kalmer, who won the first four races.
Kalmer pulled out of the final race at the last minute due to injury, but she as a long time participant of SPAR races, expect her back and raring to go in 2013.
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