Females of all ages were the centre of attention at the launch of the 33rd annual SPAR Women’s Challenge in Gqeberha on Youth Day.
The special power of the 2026 edition of the all-women event will be in its numbers after the organisers upped the entry cap to 6 000 following a sold-out field last year.
As much as the city’s most beautiful road race, scheduled for September 26 at Pollok Beach, is about giving and celebrating others, it is also about receiving.
On top of the list of gifts is a brand-new Hyundai Exter that will go to one lucky participant in either of the 5km and 10km distances.
Entrants will also get high-quality running gear manufactured by the Association for the Physically Disabled (APD) in Nelson Mandela Bay and be party to live entertainment and food stalls.
The receiving started from the outset with an early-bird entry special running throughout the day yesterday.
As one of the mass-participation event’s key stakeholders, and recognising its economic importance for the region, the Metro attended its official opening at SUPERSPAR Waterfront in Humerail en masse.
Member of the mayoral committee for sports arts and culture Sinebhongo Kwatsha, acting director of sports, arts and culture Ndileka Leqela and communications chief Sithembiso Soyaya were among those present.
SPAR Eastern Cape sponsorship controller Honey Koba shows off the magenta-coloured T-shirt produced by the Association for the Physically Disabled for the 2026 SPAR Women’s Challenge. Photo: Full Stop Communications
SPAR Eastern Cape advertising manager Roseann Shadrach said the theme #CelebrateHer aligns with the Group’s #EndGBV and #EndPeriodPoverty campaigns.
“We are celebrating our women for the impact they make in our community,” she told the media, members of Eastern Province Athletics and other invited guests.
She said the message to those who had survived gender-based violence and fought their way out of a dark place was that they were being seen and celebrated.
The names of five entrants will be drawn to “compete” for the keys to the Hyundai on race day. Each will receive a set but only one will unlock the vehicle for its new owner.
Athletes must be present to qualify for the grand prize. Participants over the age of 18 must tear off the special strip on their race number and place it in the designated box at the race village to be in the running.
The traditional tops, goodie bags and scrunchies are being manufactured by the APD for the first time.
Shadrach said the shirts were from the same moisture-management fabric introduced last time around with the hue being the only difference.
“It’s a beautiful colour and there’s also a little bit of yellow to add brightness,” APD regional director Cecilia Fourie, pointing out that SPAR EC supported the non-profit because “they know we can do the job”, said.
In another first, differently-abled participants now have the option to enter the 250m wheelchair or 5km events.
Confirming online registrations at till points across the province, piloted last year, will again be a feature to make it easier to enter for those who live in areas without reliable internet.
Companies who would like to align their brand with that of the Women’s Challenge through waterpoints, event T-shirts or by showcasing their products or services can contact sponsorship controller Honey Koba.
Sponsorship enquiries: honey.koba@spar.co.za
Entries: www.sparwomenschallenge.co.za/gqeberha/