SPAR South Africa has launched the second edition of its popular Women’s Virtual Challenge. The SPAR partner is inviting women to run, jog, or walk their own virtual challenge, at their own location and pace, on 4 September 2021. The SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge 2021 event will benefit the SPAR Petals Project. Along with the virtual challenge, SPAR is also bringing back the prestigious SPAR Grand Prix series, giving some much-needed support to South Africa’s professional women runners.

Every year, thousands of women look forward to taking part in the SPAR Women’s Challenge races and their associated fun runs. Due to the lockdown imposed in 2020, SPAR launched the first-ever virtual challenge.

Mike Prentice, SPAR group marketing executive, said: “By hosting the second virtual challenge in 2021, we are once again giving women something to look forward to. We are really excited that no one will have to miss out this year. The fact that we have managed to find a way for our challenge community to keep coming together is really a testament to what #LiveLimitless is all about.”

SPAR Petals Project

Proceeds from this year’s virtual challenge entry fee will be used to help the Petals Project donate packs of sanitary pads to underprivileged girls who often stay away from school when they are on their periods as they lack these basic necessities. 

SPAR Petals donations help keep these girls in school, giving them an equal chance to compete and lead a full life. Contribution will help to remove the limitations that girls feel during menstruation and show them that there is no area in their life in which they cannot #LiveLimitless. 

This contribution would not be possible without the support of the women across South Africa who will be joining in or without the support of the sponsors. 

“I would like to thank Asics, Garmin and Athletics South Africa for sticking with us and making this challenge possible,” Mike Prentice said. “Our brand ambassadors, several of whom have been involved with our events for years, also play a huge part in making the virtual challenges a success. We are so excited about the group we have onboard this year.” 

Virtual Race Pack

Entry to the SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge is ZAR60, and as part of the entry fee, every participant will receive a virtual race pack. The race pack includes an official virtual challenge t-shirt, access to the My Virtual Challenge digital magazine, a face buff, and a medal. 

This year there are even more ways to join in the fun online. Participants can visit the official race website, sparvirtualchallenge.co.za to generate their own race number and finish line certificate, perfect for pre and post-race selfies. Use #LiveLimitless and #SPARVirtualChallenge when posting to join the challenge community online. For more information and to find out how to enter, visit www.sparvirtualchallenge.co.za. Entries are limited to 75 000 participants – enter now to avoid disappointment.

Source: SPAR South Africa

Read more about SPAR in South Africa

About SPAR South Africa

SPAR South Africa was established in 1963 and operates four retail formats: SPAR, SPAR Express (operated in conjunction with Shell as a petrol forecourt store), KWIKSPAR (which focuses on convenience in city centres and high footfall locations) and SUPERSPAR (similar to EUROSPAR in offer). 

South Africa was the first country outside of Europe to join the SPAR organisation. The SPAR Group Ltd South Africa grants sub-licences to independent retailers to operate stores under one of the four formats. Almost all the current store portfolio is independently owned.