The 2025 SPAR Grand Prix series get underway on March 30, when thousands of women will take to the streets of Cape Town for the 10km challenge and 5km fun run.
The Cape Town race is the first of the five races making up the Grand Prix, with the overall winner taking home R200,000. The runner-up will receive R100,000, and the third-placed athlete will win R75 000.
The SA woman with the most Grand Prix points will receive an additional R100,000, the second-placed South African R70,000 and the third placed South African R50,000.
Title sponsors SPAR this week announced Hyundai Automotive SA as the new national vehicle sponsor of the series.
“Women empowerment is an integral part of Hyundai Automotive SA’s business philosophy and has been central to our growth and success. From across our country-wide dealerships right up to the organisation’s leadership, our female employees continue to lead and guide, in turn, contributing towards the broader social progress – through the Hyundai brand experience,” said CEO of Hyundai SA, Gideon Jansen van Rensburg.
Women empowerment is an integral part of Hyundai Automotive SA’s business philosophy and has been central to our growth and success.
— CEO of Hyundai SA, Gideon Jansen van Rensburg.
Hyundai is giving away five Hyundai Exter vehicles, each valued at R269,900 at the five races taking place this year.
Last year, Glenrose Xaba became the first South African to win the award since it was opened to international runners in 2019. Xaba, who won the title in 2018, when it was limited to domestic runners, is hoping to become the fourth person, after Rene Kalmer, Irvette van Zyl and Ethiopian Tadu Nare, to win the prestigious title three times.
“Winning the SPAR Grand Prix has been a dream and a goal that I’ve had for many years,” said Xaba.
“And to have won it twice is a career highlight for sure. To be referred to as a defending champion is unreal.
“For South African women, this opens the path again for us to fight to keep winning this series because we are more than capable of doing so. This year, I aim to remain injury free and have a healthy season. I look forward to running the Grand Prix series again and fighting for that top spot.” – Sowetan Reporter
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