Maritzburg is set to welcome 4000 women for this year's SPAR Women's 10km/5km Challenge on Sunday 23 August, taking participants through Alexandra Park and the outskirts of the CBD. With such a big field on the road, organisers are urging residents and participants alike to plan ahead for the closures below.
Race Director Brad Glasspoole says. “We're encouraging everyone to plan ahead so you're on time. Both distances start promptly at 8am and we are at full capacity, which means there will be extra traffic getting to the start. We suggest participants leave home early and plan their routes so as not to miss the starting horn.'
Both the 10km and 5km start near Maritzburg College, following an "out-and-back" route that begins in Princess Margaret Drive and finishes at The Oval, Cricket Stadium.
Road closures and times, Sunday 23 August:
Balmoral Drive - closed from 03:00 -11:00
Princess Margaret Drive - closed from 03:00 -11:00
Park Drive between Princess Margaret Drive and Princess Elizabeth Drive - closed from 03:00 -11:00
Princess Elizabeth Drive - closed from 03:00 -11:00
Park Drive from College Road to Princess Margaret Drive - closed from 07:00-11:00
Alexandra Road from Cross Road to Alan Paton Avenue - closed (inbound only) from 07:00-10:00
Alan Paton Avenue from Alexandra Road to Burger Street - closed (inbound only) from 07:00 - 08:30
Alexandra Road between Alan Paton Avenue and Jesmond Road-closed in both directions from 07:30 until approximately 08:45
West Street / College Road (away from the CBD) closed from 07:00 till approximately 10:00
Residents: Those in the New Scotland Road area of Pelham will be able to access their residence from Campsdrift Road and egress via College Road towards the CBD between 07:00 and 10:00.
Parking: Event parking is available on the soccer fields off Prince Charles Drive (next to the BMX track), accessed via Alan Paton Avenue / Chief Albert Luthuli Street (near Alexandra Baths) into Park Drive. Additional parking is on the fields adjacent to Kershaw Park Tennis Club off Chief Albert Luthuli Street.
Race pack collection: The race is completely sold out. Participants can collect their race numbers on Saturday 22 August from 10am to 4pm at their selected SUPERSPAR store:
- SUPERSPAR Greendale
- SUPERSPAR Mega Edendale
- SUPERSPAR Mega Parklane
- SUPERSPAR Mills
- SUPERSPAR Northway
- SUPERSPAR Hilton Quarry
- SPAR Nottingham Road
- SPAR Breland (Dalton)
There is NO Race Pack Collection this year at The Oval Cricket Stadium. Goodie bags and medals will be issued out to the successful finishers as they cross the finish line at this year’s race.
For more info visit the official race on https://sparwomenschallenge.co.za/maritzburg/Top image: Listen up! Take note of road closures and where to park. The streets around the Oval will be budding pink as thousands of women take to the streets for the Maritzburg SPAR Women’s 10.5km Challenge on Sunday 23 August. Looking forward to Challenge day is well-loved, long-time participant Makhosi Mhlongo.