The ever-popular annual Durban SPAR Women's 10/5km has moved forward a few months this year and now takes place on Sunday, June 19 once again at the People's Park at the city's iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium.

This event is a major drawcard for social runners and walkers and also attracts top seeded athletes who compete in the SPAR Women's 10/5km Grand Prix Series. Last year Gauteng's Irvette van Blerk (Nedbank) won the Durban race in a time of 33.45 and she also won the Grand Prix having bagged three races out of a total of five. This year the Durban race offers a first prize of R10 000 and the Grand Prix winner will take home R60 000 in winnings.

Last year the Durban race boasted a field of close to 13,500 women with 7118 women participating in the 10km event, and 6021 in the 5km. The sheer numbers converging in on the start provides a logistical but not insurmountable challenge for the organisers. "Last year was the first time we had started and ended the race at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, providing a new race-route for runners," explains Brad Glasspoole, Race Director, "It was a relatively smooth event, with some challenges which we have addressed for 2011. What is important, as with any large event, is that people share vehicles to get there, to relieve traffic congestion, and they should aim to get to the start early."

"Mr Price will once again provide the race data management including the results using their race timing chips. " says Glasspoole, "Entry forms are available from SPAR, SUPERSPAR, KWIKSPAR stores and we are pleased to announce that in addition to being able to enter online at www.ladiesrace.co.za, runners will be able to enter and pay at all Mr Price stores around the country."

MD of SPAR KZN Rob Philipson says "This race is one of the most popular running fixtures in South Africa, and we are really pleased to be able to support the thousands of women who take up the challenge each year. The series of races around the country brings together diverse communities for a day of fitness, fun and laughter and we are happy to be able to invest in the healthy lifestyles of all our customers.”

"The Durban SPAR Women's 10/5km which starts a little ahead of the winter season, heralds the other big sporting events we will be hosting including the Comrades Marathon and Vodacom Durban July." says Ethekweni Municipal Mayor, Cllr Obed Mlaba. "We are pleased that the race is being held at the People's Park, Moses Mabhida Stadium which is essentially the place for people to gather as a community and share in major sporting events such as this. This race attracts many visitors to the city, and provides a substantial economic injection into the region."

Once again KZN Athletics will host the race.mAleck Skhosana President of KZNA says "We are pleased to be hosting the race. As a major running event in the province, it provides many of our stakeholders an opportunity to set goals and challenges and achieve them, with some significant prize money to help them further their athletic endeavours."

In the past, the race has been able to raise significant funds for the race charity, and this year Independent Newspapers Community Projects has been selected as the official race charity. The race will be limited to 15,000 enthusiastic runners.  There are age limits for each race : for the 10km race  no under 15's are allowed- and for the 5km race - no under 9's are allowed to enter.

Entry forms are available from SPAR, SUPERSPAR, KWIKSPAR stores. Entries can be submitted and paid for at any Mr Price Store. Entrants must collect their race numbers, T-shirts and promo bags on Thursday 16 June 2011 between 10:00 and 17:00; Friday, 17 June 2011 between 10:00 and  17:00 and on Saturday ,18 June 2011 between 10:00  and 16:00, at the SunZone, Suncoast Casino.