Eastern Cape gears up for Spar Women's Challenge

Lawson Brown High School pupils and teachers added to the festive atmosphere at last year’s SPAR Women’s Challenge.

For the high school with the most pre-entries, a new laptop is up for grabs, while R2500 will go to the primary school that gets an "A" for its involvement. Those who have left school need not feel neglected as the company with the most entrants will leave the race R2500 richer.

Fighting to keep 1st place

Lawson Brown has had a stranglehold on the high school challenge and aims to keep its top spot this year, with an eye on adding the Core Technologies laptop to its growing computer lab. Teacher Natasha Swartz said the school usually fielded about 400 to 500 entrants, which also included past pupils, staff and parents.

To raise interest among pupils, Swartz said the teachers traditionally staged a fun "road show" prior to the event. "Male teachers put on their Spar Women's Challenge t-shirts and parade as drag queens for the rest of the school."

All participating learners, including boys in drag, leave school early on the Friday before the race.

Erica, the winner of last year's primary school challenge, is equally determined to keep ahead of its competition. Renate Clench, a teacher at the all-girls' school, said the class that brought in the most entries - which included accompanying mums, aunts and grannies - were allowed to wear civvies for a day, while the pupil who brought in the most would be rewarded with a meal at a fast food outlet of her choice. While the youngsters will be taking part in the 5km event, a number of Erica teachers and parents are gearing up for the 10km event.

Beneficiaries grateful

"The main event is open to women aged 15 and older while any person over the age of nine may enter the shorter distance," said Spar Eastern Cape marketing manager Martin Webber.

"It's always great fun for the whole family and the best part is that it's for a very worthy cause," he said, referring to the event's main beneficiary, the Yokhuselo Haven for victims of domestic violence.

The haven's senior supervisor Lindsay Ziehl said it was heart-warming to see schools getting involved in the race and understanding what the day was all about. "The fight against domestic violence starts with our children."

Enter online at www.spar.co.za until 28 April 2012.