As this year’s SPAR Women’s Challenge Grand Prix Series draws to a close, local road running aficionado and commentator Alec Riddle believes it has been critical in promoting excellence among South Africa’s athletes.
The penultimate event takes place in Johannesburg on Sunday before the elite athletes head for Gqeberha for the grand finale on October 9.
Because of Covid-19 restrictions, the 10km race is limited to 250 runners and is by invitation only. No spectators will be allowed to attend the event.
Riddle has undertaken a wide range of roles during the 31 years of the Women’s Challenge – from coach to husband to announcer – and has pinpointed the Grand Prix as a key addition to the overall offering.
An Eastern Cape ambassador for the race this year, he feels it has been the single biggest contribution to the development of both junior and senior female runners in the country.
“The SPAR Grand Prix has been pivotal for promoting excellence among SA’s female athletes,” he said.
“In recent years we have seen some great internationals racing and that is so important for our juniors and seniors to gain that sort of experience before they venture overseas to race internationally.
“There is no doubt in my mind that it has been critical in ensuring our local runners are exposed to ultimate racing conditions to prepare them for tougher events ahead.”
He added that there could be no debate about the importance of the series.
“Athletes need points of reference for themselves and for comparing to the greats, while there is also the incentive of considerable prize-money.”
With Ethiopian Tadu Nare (Nedbank) heading the leaderboard, Riddle believes the series is set for a thrilling finish on the course which has been set up at the South Campus of Nelson Mandela University.
It covers three laps of 3.1km before finishing with a 300m surge to the line on the tartan track in the Madibaz Stadium.
“Twenty years ago, the national 10km championships were held regularly in Gqeberha – on this very circuit, because it was and proved to be the fastest course in the country,” said Riddle.
“Obviously one needs the weather to play ball, but it is a circuit of three laps and it is flat, with bends rather than 90-degree turns, so there is less disruption to the athletes’ rhythm.”
Besides the Grand Prix element, Riddle said there were several reasons that made the Women’s Challenge so important.
“Many of SA’s Comrades champions only started running after university – Gerda Steyn and Caroline Wostmann spring to mind – so you never know who gets inspired from participating in these SPAR events.
“In addition, it helps people focus upon getting fitter and there is no better time to do that with the pandemic that we are facing in the world right now.
“Add to that the charity angle and it is an incredible event.
“For me it has been a pleasure and a privilege to be involved over the years and to see it grow from a hundred-odd runners to thousands has been a highlight.
“This is especially so as around 30 years ago it was said in some quarters a women’s race would never work.
“But SPAR believed in it and have supported women and have been very well rewarded.”
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