The SPAR Grand Prix celebrates its 18th anniversary this year, and this iconic competition just keeps on getting better.
The SPAR Grand Prix series, run over five SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge races, in Cape Town, Durban, Tshwane, Gqeberha and Johannesburg, is designed for top female road runners.
While the SPAR Women’s Challenge attract thousands of women of all ages and abilities, the SPAR Grand Prix is a race within a race, launched in 2008 to enable elite runners to earn some serious money and strong competition in a annual series.
Initially, the SPAR Grand Prix was restricted to South African runners, but in 2019, it was extended to include international athletes and has attracted some outstanding runners from elsewhere in Africa. The international competition has proved to be invaluable, spurring local runners on to achieve faster times.
The total prize money has been increased to a whopping R1 967 500. The overall winner of the SPAR Grand Prix will take home R210 000, the second-placed runner R105 000 and the third placed runner will receive R80 000.
Prize money for the age categories has also been increased, with the overall winner receiving R11 000 and the runner-up R8 000.
In addition, there are incentives for the top five South African runners, with the top South African receiving R110 000, and the second R75 000. The fifth-placed South African will take home R21 000. This is in addition to the money they win in the main competition.
Over the past 18 years, four runners – Rene Kalmer, Irvette van Zyl, Tadu Nare of Ethiopia, and Glenrose Xaba have each won the SPAR Grand Prix three times. Xaba was the first South African to win the series since it was opened to international runners, and she was the first black South African to win it three times.
She is now aiming to make more history by becoming the first person to win the coveted prize for a fourth time.
“The SPAR Grand Prix has become very important to me,” said Xaba.
“I am very proud to be the first black South African to win it three times. I like to think that my achievements are an inspiration to young girls living in poverty as I was, who see what I have done and believe they can do the same.”
SPAR’s National PR, Communications and Sponsorships Manager, Mpudi Maubane, said SPAR was very proud of its role in the SPAR Grand Prix and in the allied campaign to end period poverty (EPP) and gender-based violence (GBV).
“As a business rooted in the heart of South African communities, SPAR has a responsibility to stand up for women and girls,” she said.
“The SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge and the SPAR Grand Prix are examples of our efforts to break down barriers, restore dignity and create comfortable spaces where women can thrive,” she said.
SPAR announced that Hyundai and Coca Cola would be official partners of the 2026 SPAR Grand Prix Series with Modern Athlete again the official media partner.
Hyundai with SPAR will be giving away an all-new Hyundai EXTER to one lucky entrant at each of the SPAR Grand Prix races so long as they are over the age of 18 and hold a valid driver’s licence.
The theme for this years series is #CelebrateHer which aligns with the SPAR objective through their sponsorship to uplift, empower and celebrate the women of South Africa.