Spar Women’s Challenge launches Joburg 10km race

Kesa Molotsane, the 2017 Grand Prix Series winner and ambassador of South Africa’s fastest-growing women’s race, expressed her excitement for the upcoming event and encouraged enthusiasts to enter online starting tomorrow or purchase their entries in stores beginning in August.

This year, the organizers have capped the number of participants at 12 000.

"For the Spar grand prix, especially the Spar Women's jersey, we are behind rallying towards education for everyone and women, especially for young girls. So, we do try and advocate for education where it's really needed, and health generally is part of our grand prix or our race,” Molotsane said.

“So, we try to also really give back to those that really need our support. For us to get sponsorship from other corporates to make this a huge success and a reality to most of the people, I think this is the kind of involvement that we've been looking for."

READ: Elana Meyer surprised her SA 10km record still stands

Molotsane, who successfully advocated for a prize increase to R2 million overall and R200 000 for the Grand Prix winner after five races, is thrilled about the race’s return. 

She is determined to see female athletes earning significant prize money in races.

"From the athletes' side, I think we have also the race funds and the prize money up to R2 million and that alone says a lot about the kind of support we give to our athletes and the kind of boost that we really are contributing as Spar towards Athletics South Africa and distance running for women in South Africa,” she added.

“We are behind athletics and for us to launch this today and actually dedicate it to our athletes who have reached the milestone of qualifying for the upcoming Olympic Games and Paralympics, it's a huge achievement as well to just give them a round of a boost towards their journey of reaching that goal."