Runners and supporters aim to raise R1.5 million through the 2026 Comrades Race4Charity campaign to support anti-poaching, K9 units and conservation recovery in Kruger National Park.
The KZN Region of the SANParks Honorary Rangers is working to raise R1.5 million through the 2026 Comrades Marathon Association’s Amabeadibeadi Race4Charity campaign to strengthen conservation support across South Africa’s national parks.
The initiative builds on the success of the 2025 campaign, when the Comrades Marathon community of runners and supporters helped raise more than R1.5 million for the SANParks Honorary Rangers, contributing to a range of conservation projects nationwide.
This year’s fundraising effort comes at a particularly important time for Kruger National Park, which experienced severe flooding earlier this year. The flooding caused extensive damage to roads, bridges, tourist infrastructure and operational facilities, creating additional pressure on conservation teams working to protect wildlife.
Among the facilities affected were several K9 unit kennels. These specialised units rely on highly trained dogs to track poachers, detect illegal wildlife products and support ranger patrols. K9 teams are widely recognised as one of the most effective tools in anti-poaching operations, helping protect endangered species across the park.
Funds raised through the 2026 Race4Charity and Amabeadibeadi campaign will support anti-poaching infrastructure, wildlife protection initiatives and broader conservation work in Kruger National Park and other parks managed by South African National Parks.
In 2025, funds raised through the campaign contributed to the renovation and upgrading of anti-poaching facilities, improvements to K9 unit kennels and the training of new anti-poaching dogs. Two tracking dogs, a Bloodhound named Yoris and a Bloodhound cross named Khargi, were purchased to support operations in Kruger National Park.
Additional conservation support extended beyond Kruger. Wildlife monitoring and protection equipment was purchased for Mountain Zebra National Park in the Eastern Cape. In the Western Cape, the K9 unit at Table Mountain National Park was renovated and upgraded, while security cameras were installed in Richtersveld National Park to help protect endangered succulents threatened by poaching.
Funding also supported the SANParks Honorary Rangers Embrace National Project, which focuses on supporting rangers on the frontline of conservation through trauma and stress management programmes, as well as life skills development initiatives.
Supporters can get involved in several ways. Runners already registered for the Comrades Marathon on 14 June 2026 can sign up for Race4Charity and select SANParks Honorary Rangers as their charity of choice. Participants can then encourage friends, family and supporters to sponsor their run.
Members of the public can also contribute by sponsoring runners through the Race4Charity website. Additional support opportunities include purchasing Comrades Toyota Win-A-Car competition tickets for the chance to win a Toyota Corolla Cross, or buying Amabeadibeadi merchandise from volunteer members of the SANParks Honorary Rangers.
“Every contribution helps to protect South Africa’s National Parks,” says KZN Region Committee Chairperson Gavin Abel.
For more information about the SANParks Honorary Rangers, visit www.sanparksvolunteers.org or email Comrades@sanparksvolunteers.org to join the Race4Charity team.
