This year, various charities will be the beneficiaries of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, with organisers aiming to raise over R1 million for charitable initiatives. The annual race weekend, which takes place from Friday 16 September to Sunday 18 September 2016, continues to attract interest from amateur runners and elite athletes from across the continent and around the world.
After R700 000 was raised for charity last year, race ambassador Elana Meyer urged entrants to capitalise on their participation in the 42.2km IAAF Silver Label endurance event by running for a cause. According to Meyer – a former elite athlete who competed at major road races in Europe, Asia and the United States during her career – various fundraising platforms can be used by runners to leverage support for their chosen charity, such as the GivenGain website.
‘Running for a cause gives you a real incentive to complete a marathon, and it’s very rewarding. I encourage all those taking part in the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon to take up the initiative and make a difference,’ says Meyer.
The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon has two official charities: Endurocad, a distance running and endurance sports academy based in the Western Cape, which offers a national programme focusing on the development of elite athletes, and the Western Province Athletics (WPA) Kids Athletics Development Programme, which introduces young children to athletics in a fun, accessible and instructive way.
In addition to these two main beneficiaries, there are 24 charities associated with the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, supporting a variety of causes; from health, community and education, to the environment, wildlife and women’s rights.
At this year’s race, runners will have an opportunity to not only #ChallengeYourself and #ChallengeAfriend, but do so for worthy causes that need support.
Find more information on charities associated with the weekend running festival at www.capetownmarathon.com
Photography courtesy