SPAR South Africa launched the start of the 2025 SPAR Grand Prix series. The series will get underway on March 30, when thousands of women will take to the streets of Cape Town for the SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge and 5km Fun Run.

The Cape Town race is the first of the five races making up the SPAR Grand Prix series, in which Africa’s elite and experienced runners compete for valuable points. There is prize money to be won for different positions for the series in addition to cash prizes for each race. Junior runners will once again be eligible for an overall prize, with the results of three races counting.

As part of an exciting development for this year’s SPAR Grand Prix series, the company announced Hyundai Automotive South Africa as the new national vehicle sponsor of the series.

Empowering women

“Women empowerment is an integral part of Hyundai Automotive South Africa’s business philosophy and has been central to our growth and success. The SPAR Grand Prix series is therefore a natural match as it affords us an opportunity to attract potential customers through sport.  The series remains one of the important events in the South African sporting calendar and we look forward to a long-term and mutually beneficial association” states Gideon Jansen van Rensburg, CEO of Hyundai Automotive South Africa.

Reigning title holder

In 2024, Glenrose Xaba became the first South African to win the award since it was opened to international runners in 2019. Xaba, who won the title in 2018 when it was limited to domestic runners, is hoping to become the fourth person, after Rene Kalmer, Irvette van Zyl, and Ethiopian Tadu Nare, to win the prestigious title three times.

“Winning the SPAR Grand Prix has been a dream and a goal that I’ve had for many years,” said Xaba. “To have won it twice is a career highlight for sure. To be referred to as a defending champion is surreal. For South African women, this opens the path again for us to fight to keep winning this series because we are more than capable of doing so. I thank SPAR South Africa for taking care of women athletes through this series not only financially but also because being able to compete in a women’s only race is terrific for us women,” she said.

SPAR South Africa National PR, Communications and Sponsorship Manager, Mpudi Maubane, said they were thrilled to be launching the 2025 SPAR Grand Prix series and looking forward to a year filled with fun activities and growth of our athletes. The SPAR Women’s Challenges are more than just road races, they are a powerful symbol of female empowerment, health promotion and the fight against inequalities. By participating, women are not just investing in their wellbeing but also contributing to a brighter future for all women in South Africa.

Supporting worthy causes

Each race is linked to SPAR South Africa’s ongoing commitment to ending Gender Based Violence as well as SPAR South Africa’s campaign to End Period Poverty by 2030, raising awareness and providing crucial support to organisations working to combat these prevalent issues. This multifaceted approach ensures that the SPAR Women’s Challenges not only promote physical wellbeing but also contribute to a safer and more equitable society for women in South Africa.

Entries for the five SPAR Women’s Challenges are open at www.spar.run .

Source: SPAR South Africa

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About SPAR South Africa

SPAR South Africa was established in 1963. It operates four retail formats: SPAR neighbourhood supermarkets, SPAR Express forecourt stores, KWIKSPAR convenience focused stores and SUPERSPAR Supermarkets.  SPAR South Africa grants sub-licences to independent retailers to operate stores under one of the four formats, with almost all the current store portfolio being independently owned.