The six-race series, with generous prize money for each race, as well as a substantial prize for the overall winner of the SPAR Grand Prix has become a pan-African event, attracting top runners from a number of African countries. In addition to the 2019 and 2021 SPAR Grand Prix winners, Helalia Johannes of Namibia and Tadu Nare of Ethiopia, runners from Egypt, Zimbabwe and Lesotho will be taking part.

The exposure to top runners from elsewhere in Africa has done wonders for South African runners, who are posting faster times than before.

There is a full international athletics calendar this year, with the African championships in Mauritius in June, the Commonwealth Games Birmingham, United Kingdom in July and August and the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon later in August. This means that some runners will miss some of the SPAR races, as they focus on preparing for international events.

After consultation with her management team, the 2018 SPAR Grand Prix winner, Glenrose Xaba of Boxer, will run three races at most, as she concentrates on these events as well as the world half marathon championships in November.

Although Xaba will miss the race in Gqeberha on Saturday, a number of former SPAR Grand Prix winners will be competing, including three-times winners Irvette van Zyl (Nedbank) and Rene Kalmer (Murray & Roberts); Kesa Molotsane (Murray & Roberts), who won in 2017, and the Phalula twins, Diana-Lebo and Lebogang (Boxer). Other runners to look out for include Cian Oldknow and Tayla Kavanagh (Murray & Roberts) and Cacisile Sosibo, who will spearhead the Boxer team.

The race will be run at the Nelson Mandela University on Saturday morning over two 5km laps. Spectators will be allowed. 

2022 SPAR GRAND PRIX CALENDAR

Saturday, May 28 - Gqeberha

Sunday, June 26 - Durban

Saturday, July 16 - Mbombela

Saturday, August 6 - Tshwane

Sunday, October 2 - Johannesburg

Sunday, October 23 - Cape Town