18,000 Women Ready to Lace Up for SPAR Women’s Challenge in Green Point
Good Things Guy | 16.02.2026 17:30
Cape Town’s SPAR Women’s Challenge is back and sold out, celebrating strength, unity and community on 29 March 2026.
Cape Town, South Africa (16 February 2026) – On Sunday, 29 March 2026, the streets around Green Point will pulse with purpose, pride and plenty of pink (and my favourite colour, yellow) as the SPAR Women’s Challenge returns to Cape Town.
The highly anticipated women’s race has outdone itself, selling out all 18,000 entries two months before the start of the race. The race welcomes Open, Juniors, 40 – 49, 50 – 59, 60 – 69, 70 – 79 and 80+, as well as earning points for the national SPAR Grand Prix Series awards. The standout feature for the Cape Town event is the 80+ category, giving older runners the opportunity to compete.
Dubbed the “Heartbeat of the Western Cape,” the annual event is more than a race. It is a movement that brings together women and girls of all ages and abilities in celebration of strength, unity and community.
“We have incredible women and magnificent scenery rolled into one. This event reinforces SPAR’s commitment to uplifting women through initiatives that promote wellness, inclusion and shared value. It creates a space for joy, recognition and appreciation – encouraging our country to honour the women in their lives and communities.” – Elsabe van Zyl-Felix, Sponsorship and Events Manager for SPAR Western Cape and Namibia.
The day begins bright and early with the 10km Run at 07:00, followed by the 10km Walk at 07:15, and the ever-popular 5km Fun Run and Walk at 07:40. The start venue is at the Vlei Road entrance to the shared fields in Green Point, with the finish set at the Green Point Common Fields, where stories, sweat and smiles will meet at the same finish line. This year, there are big prizes up for grabs after the finish line, with over R35,000 in vouchers up for grabs and a brand new Hyundai EXTER.
Each step supports local charities and strengthens initiatives to uplift women across the region. This year, the SPAR Petals Project will donate sanitary pads to #Against Period Poverty and the Boland Cricket Veterans’ Dignity Programme. The Saartjie Baartman Centre is also set to be one of the recipient for the day.
This year’s theme, #CelebrateHer, marks the next chapter in a journey that began with #iRise in 2022, honouring women’s resilience, and continued with #2023Thrive, celebrating their ability to flourish despite life’s challenges. Now, #CelebrateHer shines a light on the strength, spirit and stories of women everywhere.
When a woman laces up her shoes on race morning, she carries more than a race number. She carries legacy, sisterhood and the shared power of thousands standing beside her.
Through the Women’s Challenge series, SPAR continues its commitment to wellness, inclusion and community impact, creating space not just for fitness, but for recognition and joy. It is a reminder to honour the women in our lives and in our communities, not just on race day, but every day.
For the second year running, the Alta du Toit Centre, a centre for adults with intellectual disabilities, were tasked with packing the goodie bags for each participant.
And if you missed out on an entry this year, take heart. There are still thousands of ways to show up. Cheer from the sidelines. Support the charities involved. Celebrate the women who will be running, walking and finishing strong.
Cape Town is ready. The starting gun is loaded. And 18,000 women are about to remind the city exactly what its heartbeat sounds like.
The race will be popping up in provinces across South Africa, so check out how to join via the website here.
