Isn’t it a good feeling to know that by entering certain fitness events, you do your bit for the greater good? Opting to run, swim or cycle for a charity really is a rewarding experience.
[Also… We all know how hard it can be to stay motivated to run when the rain is bouncing off the pavement and temperatures are dropping — it’s tempting to give training a miss or even consider pulling out of your race. But if there’s a charity at the heart of it, well that’s a different story.]
We’re currently totally inspired by the Bredell sisters (aged just 11 and 13), who are playing their part to raise funds for the Red Cross Children’s Hospital by breaking a world record last April. The girls raised a whopping R160 000 through their open water swims.
Prefers land to water? Here’s how you can take part in running or walking races to make a difference in South Africa.
1/ Wings For Life World Run
Date: 3 May 2020
Place: Pretoria, Gauteng
The Wings For Life Run, a global charity race in aid of spinal cord injury, hosts running and wheelchair participants in more than 300 locations worldwide. Wings for Life was set up in 2003 and now works in dozens of countries on various projects committed to finding that cure. All ticket sales go to spinal cord injury research.
“I Went From Never Exercising To Running My First 5k — And Lost 17kg In The Process”
2/ The Hollard DareDevil 5km Run
Date: 13 March 2020
Place: Johannesburg, Gauteng
If you see men running around in purple speedos, don’t panic — it’s for a good cause! The Hollard DareDevil Run is called the ‘ballsiest’ charity 5km run for courageous men of all ages, shapes and sizes. The purpose? To give back, while raising awareness around male cancers by starting conversations about them and encouraging early testing for prostate cancer.
“I Started Running As An Emotional Release To Just Clear My Mind”
3/ Walk Against Child Abuse
Date: 15 March 2020 (7:30-10:30)
Place: Stellenbosch, Western Cape
The Walk Against Child Abuse initiative started in 2018 when the Haasendal Kiddies Campus and Junior Campus Private School committed to raising funds for a local organisation, giving back to the Kuilsriver Community. The walk represents communities taking a stand against any form of child abuse. This year, all funds raised will be donated to social welfare organisation Badisa, near Kuilsriver.
4/ Totalsports Women’s Race
Date: 9 August 2020
Places: Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg
The annual Totalsports Women’s 5/10km run/walk event takes place on the same day for all three cities. The run, one of SA’s largest Women’s Day races, celebrates and encourages a healthy lifestyle and supports the PinkDrive to raise awareness around breast cancer.
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5/ Women for Change 5/8km
Date: 29 March 2020
Place: Cape Town, Western Cape
The Women for Change run/walk is hosted by the all-women running community Catch Me If You Can. The morning will host women of all ages and backgrounds, as they come together to leave their mark in the fight against gender-based violence. Walkers are more than welcome to join on the day.
“I Raised Money For A Charity And Lost 16 Kilos In The Process”
6/ Cableway Charity Challenge
Date: 18 April 2020
Place: Cape Town, Western Cape
The annual Cableway Charity Challenge has raised more than R7m for charities since conception in 2009! To take part in the Cableway Charity Challenge, you need to commit to a number of laps and pledge to raise at least R2 500. All money raised go towards a charity. Women’s Health digital editor, Gina Beretta, will be taking on six laps this year for charity.
