SPAR's sponsorship and events manager Alan Stapleton has invited social runners to join in on a day of 'female camaraderie'. "We invite you to join the fun. Who knows, the fitness and fun bug might bite," he says. "Mindsets may change and old, lazy habits may seep away as exercise makes you feel good about yourself."

According to Alan, the annual event would also be leveraged to promote the retailer's 'STOP Plastic campaign'. "It is an effort to change attitudes about how people think about and use plastic. Being part of the Women's Challenge will shout out loud that you are part of this wave of change. How you use plastic may seem insignificant, but it can lead to big change," adds Alan.

The Women's Challenge will also be used as a vehicle to help the less fortunate. "Your involvement will align you with the ever-growing need to support the many young women unable to afford sanitary products," says Stapleton. "We are proud to hold hands with Options (George), the Community Chest and Khazimla."

The start and finish venue will again be at Pollok Beach in Summerstrand and the routes will take runners through the suburb's streets. The event has announced that there will not be a Children's Challenge this year, but children under nine can take part in the 5km race if accompanied by an adult.

The age restrictions for the 5km and 10km events are nine and 14 years respectively. Men will be permitted to enter the 5km provided they dress in drag and run near the back.

Entry for the 10km costs R60 and R100 for licenced and unlicenced runners respectively (licenced competitors over 65 have free entry into the 10km). The fee for the 5km is R60.

The first 8 000 entrants will receive goodie bags and a T-shirt, redeemable at registration on Thursday, 19 March and Friday, 20 March, as well as on race day from 05:30. The 10km starts at 07:00m and the 5km at 08:00.

The high school with the most participants will receive a laptop, while the primary school and company with the most entries will receive R2 500 each (bulk entries close on Sunday, 15 March).

The teacher who organises the most entries will pocket an incentive of R1 200. Prospective participants can enter online at www.sparec.co.za until Tuesday, 17 March. Manual entries can be handed in until Wednesday, 18 March at:
  • The Footballer and Brian Bands Sports (Cape Road),
  • Action Sports (6th Avenue Walmer and Summerstrand),
  • Sportsmans Warehouse (Moffett Retail Park), and
  • UD Sports (Graaff-Reinet Road in Uitenhage).
Individuals can contact the race office from 09:00 17:00 on weekdays on 072 257 2161.

For more information, visit www.spar.co.za. You can also follow SPAR on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram

*Image courtesy of Full Stop Communications