Glorious sunshine and thousands of happy faces were the perfect reminder of why the SPAR Women’s Challenge is Nelson Mandela Bay’s most beautiful road race.
After a week of intermittent showers, Gqeberha put on a show for some 3 000 women and a few dozen men appropriately “accessorised” for the occasion.
The game male entrants in wigs and tutus were not the only ones sharing the love at the 31st running of the iconic event, which started and finished at Pollok Beach.
Before the gun even went off to send runners on their way on the 10km and 5km circuits, entertainer Gino Fabbri was omnipresent to gee them up.
He cut a dashing figure in a black suit dotted with bright-red hearts as he charged along the start-finish lanes while belting out pop and rock classics to set the tone for the day.
Afterwards, participants were treated to more live performances by Booshle G and others.
The post-race festivities were particularly sweet for entrants Xoliswa Manziya and Mouthfuls Ngele. The former won a year’s supply of groceries from SPAR Eastern Cape while the latter’s name became the latest to go into the national draw for a Proton X50 vehicle.
SPAR EC advertising manager Roseann Shadrach said the Group was so incredibly grateful to the community for coming out to support the event and its beneficiaries.
Enjoying their day out at the SPAR Women’s Challenge on Saturday were, back from left, Zukiswa Mpumlwana, Thandeka Dlula, Nosiphiwo Mzimkhulum, Cikizwa Nguwata, Gladys Tshangisa and, front, Yolande Tivane and Thembakazi Mtyobile. Photo: Full Stop Communications
Mobile mammogram service Radhiant and LifeLine South Africa each received a donation of R50 000 from the family retailer to help them in their work of uplifting women.
Radhiant radiographer Fatima Davids said the community organisation had one of its units at the race village and she was amazed by how many had made use of the service.
“Our door has been closed most of the day. It’s been incredible.”
LifeLine’s Tommy Mokgotla thanked SPAR EC for “the gesture to help us achieve our targets”.
“As we know, government funding is being cut so this money will help us a lot.”
Shadrach said these organisations had done impeccable work in changing the narrative for women battling the twin pandemics of gender-based violence and breast cancer.
“We are so thankful to the people who took part. It turned out to be such a beautiful day and everyone who was there had so much fun,” she said.
“They have been so complimentary of the event. We are also so grateful that we remain the first-choice brand for the communities that we serve, and we will continue to do great work for them.”
There had been a lot of talk before the Challenge about the new, faster course and it delivered in spades as near-perfect spring conditions greeted the elite and social participants.
In the 10km, it was Boxer Athletics Club’s Glenrose Xaba who broke the tape in 31:22 to extend her lead atop the series leaderboard.
It all but ensured that she will become the first South African in five years to win the overall Grand Prix series title at the final leg in Johannesburg in two weeks from now.
Her closest rival, teammate Cacisile Sosibo, could only muster a seventh place in Nelson Mandela Bay.
Xaba, who is coached by Caster Semenya and the Olympian’s sister Violet, last won the series in 2018 – a year prior to it being opened to foreigners.
The 29-year-old has been in tremendous form this year, breaking the national 10km record set by Elana Meyer in Budapest in 2001.
Ethiopian wunderkind Diniya Abaraya (Nedbank), 18, followed her home in 31:33 to clock the 13th fastest time ever in the world by a junior over the distance.
Her compatriot, three-time Grand Prix series champion Tadu Nare (Nedbank), took third in 31:48. This came a mere seven days after she had won the Mpumalanga Marathon to secure a R1-million payday.
Xaba, who had chased a sub-32-minute time, went clear of the field in the company of Abaraya and Nare after 6km and the trio never relented.
Speaking via a translator, Arabaya thanked Nare for being by her side every step of the way.
“She is the one who keeps pushing and motivating me. I am surprised by what I have achieved today but I give all the credit to her,” the shy teen said at the post-race press conference.
After last week’s taxing run, Nare very nearly did not start in Gqeberha.
“This race matters to me and I told myself that even if I am not ready, I must enter. It is my way of honouring this race.”