Sunday, August 22, will see the smallest field in the history of the SPAR Grand Prix Maritzburg race as just under 100 elite runners take to a 10km loop around Alexandra Park in the Capital.

The event is the first invitational event for southern Africa’s elite female road runners and starts the 6 race Grand Prix Series, which includes; Cape Town, Durban, Tshwane, Joburg and Gqeberha.

Pietermaritzburg residents are advised that due to the small and extremely fast field, the event will have a minimum impact on traffic flow in and around Alexandra Park.

Road closures and affected routes are as follows:
Saturday, 21 August
Park Drive between Princess Elizabeth Drive and Princess Margaret Drive will be closed from 08:00

Sunday, 22 August
Alexandra Park will be closed from 04:00 to 12:00
College Road will be closed from 05:30 to 09:00 to East bound traffic (heading towards Alexandra Road) from West Street / Prince Alfred Street intersection to Topham Road. Traffic will be diverted towards Campsdrift Road.

College Road will remain open to traffic heading West (towards the CBD).
Residents living in the New Scotland Road area will be able to leave the area via Topham Road towards Alexandra Road or on College Road travelling towards the CBD.
Residents making use of Mc Alister Avenue, Verbena Place and between New Scotland Road and Mc Alister will be able to leave via College Road towards the CBD, or access their residence from Alexandra Road, Topham Road or New Scotland Road into College to heading towards the CBD.

A single lane of traffic will be closed from 04:00 to 08:30 on Alexandra Road between Topham Road and Princess Margaret Drive leaving a lane of traffic open for vehicles travelling towards Alan Paton Avenue.

Alexandra and College Roads and most of Alexandra Park will be reopened fully as soon as the road is clear of the last runner.

Park Drive between Princess Elizabeth Drive and Princess Margaret Drive will be remain closed until 13:00.

Due to the current Covid-19 Regulations spectators are not permitted at the event but it will be live streamed via KZN SPAR Women’s 10/5km Race Facebook page, and the athletes can be tracked on the Sportsplits App which can be downloaded from Google Play.

The immediate area around The Oval, including Park Drive will be designated as the Event Zone and access will be restricted to athletes, race officials and accredited media only. Strict Covid-19 Protocols will be in place to ensure the safety of all involved. The organisers appeal to the public to stay off the race route during the competition.

 

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There are so many people we want to protect against this virus. Our elderly parents and family members. Our friends, neighbours and the random people we have contact with. And the people we spend so much time with every day at work. 

We want to do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19. It's a privilege to have the opportunity to be vaccinated.

 

Make a good choice.We choose vaccination. Because, as Bekwa (pictured here bottom left) says, 'It's not about me. It's about all the people around you.'

 

Top women road runners from across Africa have a reason to celebrate this week. After various delays, the first invitational SPAR 10km Grand Prix race will take place at Alexandra Park in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday August 22.

The race is by invitation only, with a maximum number of 250 elite athletes taking part. All age categories will be represented and an extra category for the over-70s has been added this year.

The Maritzburg 10km is the first of six races with the top runners collecting points towards the SPAR Grand Prix, with the athlete with most points collecting a cheque for R185 000. Prize money for the Grand Prix series amounts to a whopping two-million Rand.

In the previous Grand Prix series in 2019, Namibian Helalia Johannes made a clean sweep, winning all six races in record time to win the series with maximum points. However Johannes, who finished in 11th place in the women’s marathon at the recent Olympic Games in Tokyo, will not take part in the Maritzburg race because she is still recovering. Her Nedbank teammate, Irvette van Zyl, who finished third in the SPAR Grand Prix in 2019, is also recovering and will not be taking part.

There will still be plenty of runners vying for top spot on Sunday, including Ethiopian Tadu Nare (Nedbank), who finished second in the 2019 Grand Prix. Former Grand Prix winner Kesa Molotsane (Murray & Roberts), who has recovered from a serious injury, will be trying to stake her claim. Molotsane finished third in the last Grand Prix.

Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) is one of the rising stars of South African road running. In May she won the national half-marathon title in Gqeberha and is likely to be a strong contender for top honours.

Other elite runners include the twins, Diana-Lebo Phalula and Lebogang Phalula-Luthuli, both former SPAR Grand Prix winners, and from the Boxer stable, Rutendo Nyahora, Janet Mbhele and Patience Murowe.

Earlier in the year, some of the SPAR Grand Prix races had to be postponed because of a spike in Covid-19 cases and subsequent lockdown. The Maritzburg race is being held on its original date, and SPAR Marketing Director, Mike Prentice, believes this will be a boost for the city that suffered most from the looting and unrest in KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng in July.

Prentice said he was very happy that the SPAR Grand Prix schedule could be resumed.

“We know that the professional athletes are desperate to get back into competitive running and to earn some money,” he said.

“When we had to postpone the races in June, we promised that they would all take place later in this year, and so it is gratifying that the first will take place on Sunday,” said Prentice.

No spectators will be allowed and there will be strict Covid-19 protocols, but the race will be livestreamed and fans can follow their favourite runners by using the SPORTSPLITS app.

Pictured here: Kesa Molotsane (Murray & Roberts) will be making her long awaited return to competition when she competes in the first 10KM race of the SPAR Grand Prix 2021 series this Sunday, 22nd of August 2021 in Pietermaritzburg. Molotsane who was the overall third in the 2019 SPAR Grand Prix series and was the SPAR Grand Prix champion in 2017.

 

Picture Credit: Rogan Ward

 

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The Stool Bus is a small dynamic company, that responds quickly and efficiently to all your septic tank clearance and sewage removal needs.

At the Stool Bus, we understand that septic tanks can be located in the least accessible area, so we come prepared with the necessary piping and an experienced operative.

We’re passionate about providing our customers with a friendly and personable service. Our costs are competitive and the waste is removed in a clean and efficient manner.

We offer the following services for both residential and commercial customers:
1. Sewage and waste removal.
2. Clearing of blockages.
3. High-pressure cleaning.
4. Camera inspection.
5. Construction and repairs of septic tanks and soak-aways.
6. Storm-water, sewage lines and water solutions (drainage).

Call us on: 083 5789887 or

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Check out our website at www.thestoolbus.co.za

 

More about The Stool Bus

TWO SETS OF CRIMINALS BUST IN HILTON IN ONE DAY! Thanks to the Snipr number plate recognition technology and the swift response of the Hilton SAPS and the security companies that form part of the 'Hilton Rapid Response' team, two separate arrests took place on Wednesday in Hilton. These criminals were wanted for ATM fraud and murder!!

In both cases, the vehicles the criminals were traveling in were flagged by Umngeni Community Safety Initiative - UCSI NPC Snipr cameras at the entry points to Hilton. Swift responses and brilliant team work from the Hilton Rapid Response team resulted in the vehicles being pulled over, and suspects apprehended and arrested! 

Thank you to the Hilton community members who contribute monthly towards the Hilton Security Initiatives (HCSi /"Street Hawks"), which have enabled the installation of the Snipr cameras in Hilton. Huge recognition also to the Hilton Rapid Response team (comprised of SAPS and private security companies Knight, Aliwal, Magma, National, Red Alert, PMB Security, Mi7 and WTSU) who work tirelessly every day to keep Hilton safe.

 

More about UCSI.

'Our soup and sourdough slider is a real hit today in our cozy café!!!' shared Station Stop Coffee Shop.

Dr Gilbert's Covid Testing station is performing Covid Rapid Antigen tests (to see if you have active Covid infection) 7 days a week. Situated at the bottom of the car park at the Hilton Health Centre. Also performing PCR and Rapid antibody tests.

 

Payment accepted Cash, Zapper and Card. Invoice can be generated to Claim back from medical aid.

Please wear a mask, social distance and sanitise!

 

More about Dr Gilbert

Run anywhere in KZN for SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge – 4 September 2021

This year, the Durban and Pietermaritzburg SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge goes virtual as KwaZulu-Natal joins in the national SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge on Saturday 4 September.

The nationwide Virtual event enables participants to enter the event online and set their own challenge of running (or walking) their own route for their own distance, in their chosen location. The only condition is that they complete their challenge between 6am and 6pm on Saturday 4 September 2021.

“This gives everyone in KZN a chance to take part,” enthuses Max Oliva, MD of SPAR KZN. “Traditionally the challenge is confined geographically to Durban and Pietermaritzburg, which means so many of our loyal customers and their families around KZN are unable to participate. Now the Virtual Challenge means that whether you are in the Berg, the Bush, or on the Beach or anywhere in between, you can take part, that gives us all something to look forward to in these rather difficult times.”

“The race has as its theme - #LiveLimitless - is a tribute to the determination and courage of women, who time and time again show their strength in their ability to push on regardless,” says Oliva. “We are encouraging them to use this Virtual Challenge as an opportunity to reconnect with their friends with CoViD protocols observed of course, and enjoy the spirit that our fun “challenge” has always had.”

SPAR KZN is also offering some incredible lucky draw prizes to any KZN entrants including three two-night weekend stays at Champagne Sports Resort in the Drakensberg, one two night mid-week stay at the Wild Coast Sun Resort, six vouchers from Asics to purchase a pair of running shoes, and five R2,000 SPAR shopping vouchers. (T’s & C’s apply).

An entry fee of only R60 gives participants a race pack containing a T-Shirt, buff, medal, and a digital magazine. In addition, for every paid entry, a pack of sanitary pads will be donated to help keep a girl in school through the SPAR Petals Project.

Bulk entries can be processed for groups of 8 entrants or more. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your enquiry and relevant information will be sent to you. Closing date for KZN bulk entries is Thursday 12 August.

Online entries close at midnight on Sunday 15 August.

On entry, there are two options to choose from for how you would like to receive your race pack: you can either collect if from your closest participating SPAR store (at no charge), or you can choose to have it couriered to you at your cost, which will be added to your order total. In the week leading up to the Virtual Challenge race packs will be delivered to all areas and those opting to collect from the chosen SPAR store can pick up between 28 August and 3 September.

All event details and online entry details are found at: https://sparvirtualchallenge.co.za/

 

Caption: Precious Mthembu, team player for SA Protea Netball; Assistant Coach to the Baby Proteas and SPAR Virtual Challenge Ambassador, has some fun as she trains for the Virtual Challenge which takes place between 6am and 6pm on Saturday, 4 September. Participants can run any distance, anywhere. Entries close 15 August.

Pic by Val Adamson

Working with ToPS (Threatened or Protected Species)

This young Common Reedbuck lamb hides in a thicket covering awaiting...????

Too often, when we are out walking with our dogs, running or riding, and we sometimes bump into baby wildlife. Our first instinctive thought is that they have been abandoned by their mother. But, this may not always be the case. Mothers often hide their young in thickets, where they are safe from predators and will return to feed them periodically, only when the coast is clear. If you are even unsure if an young wild animal is being hidden from threats or has been abandoned then please give FreeMe Wildlife a call on 033-330-3036 for guidance from our experienced staff. ❤️

At FreeMe Wildlife, we simulate a natural environment while hand-rearing young wildlife such as this Common Reedbuck lamb. We encourage natural behaviour, such as lying still in thickets until feeding time. These pictures hope to demonstrates how this is done at FreeMe Wildlife. Wildlife babies never run up to their surrogate mothers to seek unnatural companionship, they are never "petted" or tamed, and they are never imprinted. This is what professional wildlife rehabilitation is about, ensuring the best for the survival of species back in the wild as a wild animal.

FreeMe Wildlife takes pride in leading through example.

We love what we do, and how we do it...

Why not join our Custodianship Program to show your support for the work we do? Anyone from kids to big businesses can join:
https://www.freemewildlife.org/custodian

Otherwise, if a particular story has touched your heart, and you would like to donate directly to our animal care and vet bills, you are welcome to donate directly through these channels:
FreeMe Wildlife
First National Bank
Branch code: 220 725
Account number: 6214 1246 068

PAYPAL ACCOUNT:
http://paypal.me/FreeMeWildlife

PAYFAST ACCOUNT:
http://www.freemewildlife.org/donate

SWIFT CODE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRANSFERS:
FIRNZAJJ

Contact number: 033 330 3036

 

More about FreeMe WIldlife

Motorists using the N3 from Monday, August 16 to Wednesday, September 1, should take note that road closures will be in effect while Eskom pulls conductors across the highway in the Lions River area.

The closures will affect traffic on both the north- and south-bound carriages of the N3.

 

Traffic officials will be in attendance and will divert motorists onto alternate routes.

 

Eskom has apologised for delays the road closures may cause.

 

See schedule for more details.

 

TRIBE is ready for you!

 

'Watch the Rugby on Friday night at TRIBE. To add to the festivities we are running some great beer specials thanks to our amazing friends at Heineken!' shared Leandra Carcary.