SPAR / Sport and Recreation KZN Women’s 10km/5km Challenge

KZN Women’s 10km & 5km Challenge Results

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South Africa’s Most Beautiful Road Race

Durban: A fast race in fine weather conditions saw Rene Kalmer from Gauteng win the 2009 Spar/ Sport and Recreation KZN Women’s 10km / 5km race in a speedy 32 minutes 27 seconds.

Making it look really easy, Kalmer walks away with R5000 prize money with this win putting her at the top of the log in the Grand Prix standings.

Kalmer from Mr Price, who has been dominating the circuit for some years, was delighted: “I am thrilled that I improved on my time. It was a fantastic race from the start in perfect conditions. I decided to do business today and went for it!” She sang the praises of the Durban race, calling it the best and most prestigious race in the series.

Hot on her tail was Annerien van Schalkwyk in a time of 32:39. “I knew it would be a good race – it was a fast race from the start, the mood was great, the weather was good,” she said. Van Schalkwyk improved one minute on her personal best time.

Both van Schalkwyk and Kalmer are hoping to be selected for the SA Team for the world half marathon champs in Birmingham in October.

Coming in third was first KZN runner Tanith Maxwell representing Mr Price in a time of 34.01. She leaves in August to go to Berlin to compete in the world athletics championships, and in October she is going to the world half marathon champs in Birmingham. This was marathon runner Maxwell’s first SPAR race this series and she surprised herself by her result – this was her personal 10km race best.

Crowd favourite Poppy Mlambo, from Nedbank came in fourth in 34.53 whilst Sonja Laxton, clocked in a time of 41:07, despite a bad fall at the start, breaking the grand masters record.

At the half way mark, the runners were setting a fast pace clocking in 16 minutes with Kalmer and van Schalkwyk matching each other stride for stride.

Some of the country’s top female runners are currently doing the SPAR racing circuit. The Durban race saw a field of 12 373 women competing, with 7 985 women participating in the 10km event, and 4 388 in the 5km.

Minister of Sports and Recreation KZN, MEC W C Thusi applauded the race: “An exciting day was enjoyed by all. At Department of Sport and Recreation, it is a priority to promote women in sport and we are very excited to see so many girls and young women participating.”

The chosen charity this year was Jessica Foord’s foundation - POWAR - who received a cheque to the value of R24 000 .

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Road Closures and Parking

South Africa’s most beautiful race takes to the Durban roads on Sunday, July 26, 2009 where women from all walks of life will be taking part in the 19th annual SPAR/Sport and Recreation KZN Women’s 10km/5km Challenge.

With the race attracting thousands of women to the start line at Sahara Kingsmead Stadium, participants, spectators and members of the public need to take note of the following road closures and available parking on race day.

Masabalala Yengwa, previously NMR Avenue, will be closed from the Argyle Road off-ramp from 6am on Sunday morning. Traffic travelling from the north can take the Argyle Road off-ramp and then turn right into the M4, whilst traffic coming from the east (Umgeni Road) will need to cross over Masabalala Yengwa and then turn right into the M4. Access from Masabalala Yengwa and Somtseu Road will be closed, as will the intersection of Old Fort Road and Masabalala Yengwa. The extreme left lane on the north bound carriageway from Old Fort Road to the Argyle Road off-ram will be open for buses travelling to the bus depot. If you are travelling from the north it is advisable to use the M4 and Umgeni Road. All roads from the south will be open.

Parking will be available to the public at Sahara Kingsmead Stadium, the ICC (International Convention Centre), the Hilton Hotel Parkade, the Workshop Shopping Centre Parkade, the Exhibition Grounds opposite the Exhibition Centre, at UNISA, and at the Hoy Park Sports Complex in Somtseu Road.

The road closures together with the extra traffic are going to result in heavy congestion on the roads on race day, so obey the traffic officials, drive with care and be patient.

The race is open to women aged 15 years and older. Entries for the race are R45 unlicensed and R40 licensed; and R40 for the 5km race. The 10km race starts promptly at 8.00am and the 5km starts shortly after that at 8.30am.

Entries to the race can be found at any SPAR; SUPERSPAR; KWIKSPAR stores; KZN Athletics and at Independent Newspapers or log onto www.SPAR.co.za for more details.

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Lifestyle and Registration Expo

As women around the country dust off their running shoes in preparation for SA’s most beautiful road race, all attention is focused on the SPAR/Sport and Recreation KZN Women’s 10km/5km Challenge Lifestyle and Registration Expo taking place at the Sahara Kingsmead Stadium from July 23 – 25 , 2009.

The Lifestyle and Registration Expo is open from 9am until 5pm each day, with 25,000 visitors expected as women turn up in droves to register at what has become a major feature of this iconic race.

All entrants must go along to the Expo to receive their race numbers, and the first 16,000 entrants will receive a free commemorative t-shirt and goodie bag stuffed with promotional merchandise.

Upon registration, participants will automatically be entered into the SPAR Trolley Voucher draw to stand in line to win the incredible prize of one year's worth of SPAR shopping voucher's to the value of R12,000.00. Yet another incentive to get down to the Expo and register.

Lifestyle products on show at the Expo will include food and drink, cosmetics, fashion and accessories, pharmaceuticals and cookware, with loads of free samples and products on sale. Hourly demonstrations showcasing exercises for different sports will be held by Virgin Active, along with demonstrations of a variety of exercise and sporting equipment.

Visitor's to the Expo can also enjoy light refreshments in the outside tea garden, with baking demonstrations by Snowflake and the Pancake King.

The SPAR/Sport and Recreation KZN Women’s 10km/5km Challenge takes place on Sunday 26 July, 2009. The Lifestyle and Registration Expo is open between 9am – 5pm from Thursday, July 23 until Saturday, July 25, 2009. No late entries will be accepted on race day.

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Durban Sahara Stadium: 26 July 2009

The 19th annual women’s only South African road race, the SPAR, Dept of Sport and Recreation Women’s 10km/5km Challenge, takes to the Durban roads on 26 July.

Dubbed as “S.A.’s most beautiful race”, competitors have the option of walking or running the 5km or 10km distance. The race has been a resounding success for all levels of athletes.

Women–only races are famed for the magical atmosphere on the route for all competitors. For the athletes that are competing in the National Grand Prix, they have the chance to keep an eye on their competition in the race. Racing tactics change dramatically when there are no men to dictate the pace. Competitive women eagerly await the opportunity to race in a women’s only series around the country.

For the more social runners, the event attracts like-minded women and is used as a wonderful opportunity for team-building. And of course, a chance to get out there and exercise socially with friends and family.

Over the last two decades, SPAR has proudly been supporting Women’s sport and proactively supports a healthy lifestyle for the people of South Africa.

Ladies, dust off your running shoes and enjoy a morning in the magical surroundings of Durban; get your heart pumping when you compete in the SPAR, Dept of Sport and Recreation Women’s 10km/5km Challenge. Encourage family and friends to get active and join in this fun-filled event.

The race that attracts thousands of women to the start line at Sahara (Kingsmead) Stadium has a truly feminine flair to it. The race is open to women aged 15years and older. Entries for the race are R45 unlicensed and R40 licensed; and R40 for the 5km race. The 10km race starts promptly at 8.00am and the 5km starts shortly after that at 8.30am.

This year the SPAR, Dept of Sport and Recreation Women’s 10km/5km Challenge will be supporting Jes Foord’s Foundation: POWAR – Powering Our World Against Rape. The event is supported by media partners, The Mercury and East Coast Radio.

Entries to the race can be found at any SPAR; SUPERSPAR; KWIKSPAR stores; KZN Athletics and at Independent Newspapers or else log onto www.spar.co.za for more details.

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