CAPE TOWN – With less than two weeks to go before runners, elite athletes and supporters descend on the Mother City for the annual Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, race organisers are aiming to help charities raise in excess of R2,5 million through over the 50+ charities involved in the marathon’s Run4Change Legacy Programme.
The race takes place on September 23.
Designed to spur positive and meaningful societal change both for local communities and for the country as a whole, the programme focuses on five key areas, one of which is charity. This funnels funds into areas that need a greater degree of awareness or grassroots assistance, with the main focus on children, community, education, environment, health, wildlife and women. The other four areas are personal health, environmental sustainability, community peace and athlete development.
“No longer is running just for fun, keeping fit or competition,” said Cape Town Marathon race ambassador Elana van Zyl-Meyer. “A growing number of runners the world over have realised that through their participation they can rally attention and funds to causes they are truly passionate about.”
This year’s event is the pinnacle of a weekend-long festival of running that includes two Peace Trail Runs (22km and 12km), a 5km Peace Run/ Walk and a 10km Peace Run.
Race ambassador Elana Meyer releases peace doves after last year’s race as winner Asefa Negewo and the top finishers look on. Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix
It has attracted top-flight international and local elite athlete support, with countries including Ethiopia, Kenya, Australia, the UK, Namibia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe represented. South Africa’s top marathon runners Stephen Mokoka, Desmond Mokgobu, and Nolene Conrad will be taking part.
“A range of fundraising activities are available, from supporting one or more of the marathon’s official charities active in sports development, or linking in with one of the 50 charities listed on the marathon’s GivenGain fundraising profile,” says Van Zyl-Meyer.
The Western Province Athletics’ Kids Athletics Development Programme and SA Endurance Academy - are the marathon’s official charities.
Over R255 000 has already been raised to date through the marathon’s GivenGain profile, with over 100 fundraisers taking part, 15 countries represented and 52 charities benefiting. Runners also have the option of registering their own charity campaign on https://www.givengain.com/e/ctmarathon2018/