Near-perfect running conditions and a festive atmosphere greeted 804 participants at Dornier Wines near Stellenbosch on Heritage Day (Thursday 24 September) for the sixth edition of The Gratitude Run.

Hosted by NPO Distance For Difference (D4D), the annual event featured a 5 km fun run/walk, 10 km trail run, 21,1 km trail run and the popular 3 x 4 x 5 team relay. Marking its third consecutive year at Dornier Wines, the morning brought together families, trail runners and community teams alongside dozens of volunteers, supporters and local sponsors.

Subject to final financial reconciliation, D4D expects the event to raise around

R130 000 after direct costs, with all proceeds earmarked to assist vulnerable children in need of care, safety and education.

The smooth execution of the event followed an unexpected challenge just two days prior to race day, when D4D founder, chairman and event director Stéphan Pieterse sprained his ankle while marking the trail routes.

“The timing certainly wasn’t ideal,” said Pieterse. “But it also showed me again how fortunate I am to be surrounded by a team of people who simply step up when something needs to be done. Everyone pulled together and made sure that the event went ahead as planned.”

Event management was spearheaded by D4D office administrator Caro Pieterse, who succeeded Tacia Roux late last year, supported by a 12-member volunteer organising committee and roughly 18 operational assistants.

On race day, key support roles were filled by local community partnerships: 21 representatives from the Somerset West Night Shelter served as route marshals, while children from the Anna Foundation and staff from Sportsmans Warehouse managed water stations along the routes.

Venue host Jacques Rupert and the team at Dornier Wine Estate provided access to the estate’s trails and farm roads.

Participant feedback reflected the event’s strong execution, with 50 of the 54 Quicket ratings received following the event awarding it a full five stars.

This year’s edition saw the long trail route extended to 21,1 km, offering participants a full trail half-marathon distance for the first time.

D4D confirmed it is considering formally introducing an official trail half-marathon category for next year’s edition.

The leading finishers across the individual categories were:

5 km fun run/walk:

• First woman: Katie Brink (21:00)

• First man: Phillip van der Merwe (21:10)

10 km trail run:

• First man: Willem van Wyk (42:30)

• First woman: Lena Lötter (52:00)

21,1 km trail run:

• First man: David Takaruza (1:35:06)

• First woman: Laura Taylor (1:57:00)

The 3 x 4 x 5 team relay challenged multi-runner teams to complete as many 3,1 km laps as possible within a four-hour timeframe.

In the mixed category, Team Run with Pride took first place. The winning squad – comprising Morne Veldsman, Donovan du Plessis, Elretha Burger, Micaela le Roux and Joshua van Vuuren – completed 17 laps (around 52,7 km) in four hours at an average pace of 4:33 per kilometre.

The sole entry in the women’s category, Team Faster than Peter (Feng-Ying Hsieh, Janet Campbell and Ferlin Swiegers), completed eight laps. No teams registered in the men’s team category this year.

Since its founding in 2005, D4D has raised over R14 million through sport-based fundraising campaigns to assist children in need.

D4D will host its summer Hike with Purpose outings, on dates to be announced via its social media channels.

The organisation’s next major endurance fundraiser, THE500 24-hour cycling and spinning challenge, is scheduled for Saturday 17 to Sunday 18 April 2027.

The Gratitude Run will return to Dornier Wines for its seventh edition on Heritage Day next year (Friday 24 September 2027).