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The Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
SPAR Women's Challenge Tshwane: A Celebration of Purpose, Empowerment and Giving Back
While the streets around SuperSport Park in Centurion echoed with the joy and strength of 17,000 women participating in the sold-out SPAR Women's Challenge Tshwane this past weekend, the true heartbeat of the event was the incredible impact made far beyond the finish line. Hosted in Women's Month, the 2025 edition of the SPAR Women's Challenge Tshwane once again proved that this iconic event is about so much more than a race. It is a rallying cry for community, empowerment, and giving back. As part of the My SPAR My Community campaign, over R350,000 was donated to organisations doing vital work to support and uplift women across the region. These include charities focused on early childhood development, educational support, the fight against Gender-Based Violence, and burn victim care at the Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital. 'At SPAR, we believe that when women thrive, communities thrive. This event is a celebration of our most loyal customers, but also a strategic and heartfelt platform to invest back into their lives and futures,' said Ralph Rajagopaul, Divisional Marketing Director – SPAR North Rand & Botswana just before the race on Saturday. A significant highlight of this year's event was the ongoing SPAR End Period Poverty campaign, aimed at eradicating period poverty by 2030. Thanks to the sanitary pad donation drive and the support of thousands of participants, 4,000 girls will now be able to stay in school for another month, removing a critical barrier to education. 'Empowerment starts with dignity. By tackling challenges like period poverty and supporting GBV prevention programmes, we are making bold strides toward a future where every girl has the opportunity to thrive,' Mpudi Maubane, National PR, Communications & Sponsorships Manager at SPAR South Africa remarked. The day was also filled with moments of joy and celebration. In a highlight that had the entire stadium cheering, one lucky participant won a brand-new Hyundai Exter worth R269000, adding even more excitement to an already memorable event. The top three finishers of the 10km 2025 @SPARWomensPta which took place at @SuperSportPark on Saturday are from left second placed Ethiopian Diniya Abaraya (Nedbank), winner #GlenroseXaba (Boxer) and Ethiopian Selam Gebre (Nedbank) who finished third.#Twenty20thrive — SPAR Grand Prix (@SPARGrandPrix) August 3, 2025 Elite athletes were also recognised for their incredible talent, with Glenrose Xaba taking top honours in the 10km race and walking away with R43000 in prize money. In total, R195500 in prize money was awarded – all to women – underlining SPAR's commitment to creating tangible opportunities for female athletes to succeed. The SPAR Women's Challenge Tshwane continues to be more than a race – it is a movement. One that celebrates resilience, honours womanhood, and builds a better, more equitable future for all. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
The Citizen
03-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Big prizes to be won at this year's SPAR Women's Challenge Tshwane
Big prizes to be won at this year's SPAR Women's Challenge Tshwane It's time again to start preparing for the annual SPAR Women's Challenge Tshwane. The 2025 version of the SPAR Women's Challenge Tshwane was officially launched last week and this year, participants will be able to take to the streets of Centurion on Saturday, August 2, to hang that coveted medal around their necks. This year, the beloved race embraces the empowering theme, #Twenty20Thrive, encouraging women across all walks of life to embrace their journey of growth and well-being. Building on decades of success, the SPAR Women's Challenge Tshwane continues its commitment to making a tangible difference in the community. The race will be marked by a significant R60,000 charity donation to various organisations dedicated to women's empowerment, ending period poverty, and combatting Gender-Based Violence – causes that align perfectly with the race's core objectives. Ralph Rajagopaul, Divisional Marketing Director of SPAR North Rand & Botswana, said SPAR Women's Challenge Tshwane has been more than just a race over the past 18 years. 'It is a movement that champions women, fosters community spirit, and inspires holistic well-being,' Rajagopaul emphasized. He further explained that SPAR's continued involvement stems from a deep-rooted belief in the power of women and the profound impact a united community can have. 'This year, with our #Twenty20Thrive theme, we aim to encourage every participant to embrace their journey towards empowerment and health, and we are incredibly proud to kick off by supporting vital causes in the Tshwane community,' Rajagopaul concluded. The 2025 edition promises an exciting race day experience. After entering the race participants will receive a new and improved moisture-management T-shirt and the exclusive My Tshwane Challenge Magazine, packed with inspiring content on ambassadors, the #Twenty20Thrive theme, and numerous prizes to be won. Adding to the excitement, one lucky participant on race day will drive away in a brand-new Hyundai Exter. Entries are now officially open and are limited to 17,000 participants, so prospective runners and walkers are encouraged to secure their spot quickly. Participants can enter conveniently online at through the SPAR2U App, or by visiting selected SPAR stores (a full list is available on the website – ). Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
