Put Zing back into Spring

 

 

Winter has made its presence felt, with icy winds and bitter mornings – but as the poet Shelley pointed out, ‘If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?’ It is a good thing to remember on those cold Pretoria mornings – just three months to go, and it will be Spring again!

 

One sure sign that Spring is on its way is the annual SPAR Women’s 10 km Challenge, which takes place on the last Saturday in August to celebrate the coming of the warmer weather.

This year’s Pretoria Challenge will again be run at the LC de Villiers Stadium in Hatfield on August 25, in which the winner will receive prize money of R5 000, and there are cash prizes for the other top runners as well.

 

The race will be the third in this year’s SPAR Grand Prix Series, and most of South Africa’s top runners will be going all out to ensure that they get as many points as possible on the Grand Prix leaderboard.

 

Rene Kalmer heads the leaderboard at present, followed very closely by Poppy Mlambo.
An exciting aspect of the Grand Prix series is that runners obtain additional points by doing well in their age category, so Maxine Heine-Walker, the first junior home in Port Elizabeth, now places third on the leaderboard, and veteran Grace de Oliveira is in joint fourth position.

 

But for the thousands who are not trying to get onto the Grand Prix leaderboard, the Challenge offers plenty of fun and entertainment, as well as great prizes.

 

There will be a Lucky Draw for a year’s supply of groceries, worth R12 000, and other spot prizes as well, and if you bring a friend along, you stand a chance of winning the ‘Treat a Friend’ competition, including a full-day spa package at Mangwanani.

 

“We believe this race has become part of Pretoria’s Spring celebrations,” said Brett Botten, SPAR North Rand Managing Director.

 

“This is the 11th Challenge run in Pretoria, and the numbers grow every year, with many women welcoming the race as a reason to keep exercising during the chilly winter months. We are very happy that our race has become such an important part of the Pretoria social calendar.”

 

For mothers of young children, there is a Kiddies Corner, where your child will be looked after while you take part in the Challenge, and members of the cast of ‘Sewende Laan’ will be at the finish to welcome you home.

 

The first 10 000 entrants will receive a free race t-shirt upon entering as well as a goodie bag and medal at the race finish.

 

Walkers are welcome to take part, and for those who are daunted by the prospect of 10 kms, there is also a 5km Fun Run.

 

So beat those winter blues by getting ready to put some Zing back into Spring, and Take the Challenge on August 25.

 

Entry forms are available at all SPAR, KWIKSPAR and SUPERSPAR stores, or online at the SPAR website.