Manual entries a reprieve for Virtual Women's Challenge participants

Thousands of runners will take to the streets across South Africa on Saturday when the SPAR Virtual Women’s Challenge takes place. Those who missed the online deadline to enter can still do so manually at Brian Bands Sports in Gqeberha and Hamilton Sports

The SPAR Virtual Women’s Challenge to be run on Saturday has been opened for manual entries, providing a reprieve for those who may have missed the deadline for online registration.

A field of at least 50 000 female runners and walkers across the nation will take to the streets on September 4 as they celebrate the country’s most beautiful race.

Although online registration closed on August 15, there is no need for anyone to miss out. Prospective participants can now enter manually at selected Eastern Cape outlets.

Due to the logistical constraints of getting the race packs to runners and walkers in time, these entry points are restricted to Gqeberha and East London.

SPAR EC promotions and events manager Alan Stapleton said there had been so much interest in the run that they had decided to create another entry platform.

“This will be the last chance for people to enter the Virtual Women’s Challenge and we encourage as many as possible across our province to take advantage of this opportunity,” he said.

“Not only is it an occasion to celebrate women and what they mean to South African society, it’s also a chance to generate further funds for our beneficiaries who do so much good work in their respective fields.

“Furthermore, every entry will allow SPAR to donate a certain number of sanitary pads to schools to ensure young girls do not miss out on their education.”

Stapleton said the venues where manual entries could be processed were Brian Bands Sports in Gqeberha and Hamilton Sports Club in East London.

Entries will be taken from today (August 30) to Friday (September 3) from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

“All you need is R60 cash to claim your T-shirt, buff and race medal,” he added. “A limited number of Virtual Challenge packs with only selected shirt sizes will be available.”

Subject to lockdown regulations, participants will run or walk their own route over any distance between 6am and 6pm on Saturday.

This is designed to make the event suitable for a wide range of women and girls to enjoy the camaraderie the event traditionally generates.

The Eastern Cape beneficiaries in 2021 will be Masimanyane and On Eagles’ Wings, organisations that tie in with SPAR’s pledge to lead the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) and to provide support to the less fortunate.

For more information, contact Stapleton on 082 417 0712 or Laura Dorothy on 073 384 8637