Hundreds of female runners along the Garden Route took to the streets of George at the weekend to raise money for charity.

The inaugural Heather Park SUPERSPAR Sunrise Challenge saw almost 400 participants take full advantage of perfect weather conditions to raise R5 000 for special needs school Up With Down’s on Saturday.

The women-only event – which followed an undulating course through the suburbs of Heather Park and Rooirivier Rif – offered 5km, 10km and 2km relay options.

“We decided to hold a women’s race as we wanted to do something different,” said Heather Park SUPERSPAR owner Duncan Brown.

“We also wanted to add a fun element, so men were allowed to enter if they were dressed in drag.”

Brown said pupils from the school held a market day at Heather Park SUPERSPAR every Thursday to raise funds and this gave him the idea to use the race as a platform to support their efforts.

He said they were hoping to attract more than a thousand runners to next year’s event. “Our aim is to help people in our area while having some fun, but we need the support of the community.”

Race organiser Danie Raubenheimer, from the George Nedbank Running Club, said planning for next year’s event would start soon and that businesses and schools would be their main focus.

“We would also like to get more top athletes to take part because children love to see their heroes in action.”

The prize for the best-dressed male went to Jan Nel while the Purple Turtles was voted the best-dressed relay team.

Melissa van Rensburg of George won the 10km feature event ahead of Alison Jordaan (George) and Lisl Grobler (Knysna).

Go to www.facebook.com/sparinaction to view some fun photos of the race and to keep abreast of SPAR’s initiatives in the Eastern Cape.

Squillo the mascot with one of the Up for Down’s pupils at the Heather Park SUPERSPAR Sunrise Women’s Challenge that took place in George on Saturday. Photo: Supplied

Issued by:

Full Stop Communications

Coetzee Gouws
082 575 7991
041 368 4992
coetzee@fullstopcom.com
www.fullstopcom.com

On behalf of:

SPAR Eastern Cape