REGISTRATION
SUPPORTING A CHARITABLE CAUSE
The six official Comrades Amabeadibeadi Charities of the Comrades Marathon bring huge value to their local communities by focusing on issues of community development, hunger, health and wellness, AIDS care and support, and environmental conservation. You can show your support for the work they do by visiting their stands at the Comrades Marathon Expo.
Many long-distance runners like to tie their running in with fundraising for a worthy cause, as it motivates them to stick to their training commitments, and to push through the harder parts of a run or race. That has played a huge role in the success of the Comrades Amabeadibeadi Charities and Race4Charity initiatives.
In 1996, as part of the 75th anniversary celebrations of the race, the Comrades Marathon Association( CMA) decided to invest in and give back to the communities that have graciously supported the event since its inception in 1921. That led to the birth of the CMA’ s AmaBeadiBeadi Charity Drive. To date, this initiative has raised over R84-million for worthy causes, mainly through the Comrades Marathon’ s
Race4Charity initiative, where runners can run for a designated charity, as well as through the generous donations and support of Comrades runners, supporters, volunteers, sponsors, and partners.
Last year’ s Comrades Marathon raised another R8,012,438 for the six official charities that formed part of the 2025 AmaBeadiBeadi Charity drive, and this year, the fundraising total has steadily ticked up to similar levels in the weeks leading up to the race. With many donations still to come in after the race, we could see even more raised in 2026.
Make every kilometre count by fundraising for one of our six official charities, all doing incredible work to help others and improve lives.
Childline KZN
More info at www. childlinekzn. org. za
Our mission is to create a safer, kinder world for every child, so we work to protect vulnerable children from abuse, neglect and exploitation through community outreach, counselling, and prevention programmes, as well as our 24-hour toll-free crisis line. We stand as a voice for those who are often unheard, offering healing, support, and hope. The support we’ ve received through the Comrades Marathon’ s Race4Charity has made it possible for us to reach more children in crisis, train caregivers and educators, and respond more effectively to abuse and trauma, while bring together a community of passionate runners who believe in the importance of protecting and uplifting our children.
Childhood Cancer Foundation
More info at https:// choc. org. za
CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa is a beacon of hope for children and teenagers diagnosed with cancer or life-threatening blood disorders. Established in 1979 by parents who understood the challenges of childhood cancer firsthand, CHOC has grown into a national organisation providing comprehensive support to children, their families, and the medical teams involved in their care. Every stride taken by the CHOC Cows running the Comrades Marathon to support CHOC represents strength, courage and commitment, echoing the journey of each brave young warrior diagnosed with cancer. The funds raised play a critical role in sustaining CHOC’ s services and expanding its reach across South Africa.
SANParks Honorary Rangers
More info at www. sanparksvolunteers. org
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As the official volunteer organisation of South African National Parks, the SANParks Honorary Rangers are passionately committed to conserving our natural heritage. A large portion of the funds raised through the AmaBeadiBeadi Charity Drive is allocated to support SANParks’ K9 anti-poaching units and SANParks rangers, both of which are vital to combat poaching. The funds allocated to the K9 project are used for the purchase of well-trained dogs or the provision of kennelling, food and care for the dogs, while the Embrace Programme supports rangers with training and counselling to boost wellbeing and resilience in the face of the challenges associated with their work.
Community Chest Durban and Pietermaritzburg
The first five years of a child’ s life are essential in developing mental, physical, social and emotional skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. The aim of the Community Chest Durban and Pietermaritzburg is to raise much-needed funds for this early childhood development( ECD), and Comrades superheroes make an impact in the lives of thousands of under-resourced children living in impoverished areas throughout KwaZulu-Natal, by running the race in support of the Community Chest. In return, the Community Chest Durban and Pietermaritzburg is proud to support the running community at every opportunity, including serving runners at the GEMS Comrades Disadvantaged Runners programme.
Images: Comrades Marathon Association