With the support of Race4Charity runners and donors, the SHR will invest the funds into critical SANParks conservation, ranger-support and anti-poaching initiatives in national parks. This is in support of priority conservation needs that have been identified by SANParks through a wish-list system.
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The funds raised from the 2025 Race4Charity campaign will be allocated as follows:
- Kruger National Park: Renovation and upgrade of anti-poaching facilities and kennelling for anti-poaching dogs, and the training of two new dogs for K9 units.
- Mountain Zebra National Park: Procurement of wildlife-monitoring, research and protection equipment, including three cheetah collars, one lion collar, and three camera traps.
- Richtersveld National Park: Installation of new security cameras to strengthen protection measures for endangered succulents that are vulnerable to poaching.
- Table Mountain National Park: Assistance with the renovation and upgrade of dog kennels at the K9 unit.
- Project Embrace: Support for rangers and their families at the frontline of conservation through trauma and stress-management programmes and life-skills training.
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“The Comrades Marathon is not only a race of endurance, but also a race of generosity in many ways,” says Ian Catt, treasurer of the KwaZulu-Natal region of the SHR and chairperson of the SHR Comrades organising committee. “Every runner who chose to run for SHR, every person who donated, and the Comrades Marathon Association itself, have helped us take a significant step forward in protecting our wildlife and supporting our rangers and protecting our conservation area. These projects will have a direct and lasting impact on conservation.”
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Looking ahead, 2026 will mark the 99th anniversary of the Comrades Marathon.
“We are deeply grateful to the Comrades organisers for giving us this platform, to the athletes who carried our cause along the route, and to every runner and supporter who donated,” saysCatt. “Together, we are ensuring that the parks, people, and wildlife of South Africa continue to thrive for generations to come.”
