Run West 2024 Wrap! R25,000 raised for PTWC at bumper Run West Trail Run.
A record turnout of 250 runners raised more than R25,000 for the work of Protect the West Coast during the annual Run West event between the Olifants River and Doringbaai.
Run West runners traverse the coast south of the Olifants River. Photo Jacque Smit
A glorious spring day met the record entry of 250 trail runners who descended on the West Coast for Run West 2024, which raised more than R25,000 for Protect the West Coast (PTWC).
Airbnbs and most guesthouses in Doringbaai and Strandfontein, as well as the campsite in Strandfontein, were packed with eager runners for the Heritage Day long weekend.
The start of the 21 km race from the Olifants River Estuary to Doringbaai was buzzing before the race.
The 21km race, which began near the fishing village of Papendorp up the Olifants River and wound its way along the beach, through the picturesque settlement of Strandfontein to end at Fryer’s Cove in Doringbaai, was won by last year’s winner Raydon Barret in a blistering time of 1 hour and 34 minutes. Maria Oliver smashed the ladies 21km in a time of 1 hour and 41 minutes.
Vicky van der Merwe (62:10) and Edwin van Wyk (51:39) won the ladies and men’s 10km race respectively. This route started at Strandfontein and tracked along the rocky, rugged paths of sandstone cliffs to Doringbaai, with beautiful vistas of rock formations and ocean along the way.
Part of the course at Run West traverses the rugged, steep cliffs and bays between Strandfontein and Doringbaai.
Race organiser Dom De Jesus, who started Run West in 2021 to raise funds for PTWC and draw attention to rampant, destructive mining, was chuffed that entries had more than doubled since last year, which vindicated the efforts of PTWC and Run West to host alternative, sustainable events beyond the extractive and single-use nature of mineral and diamond mining.
Traces of the beach minerals sought after by mining companies on this stretch of beach serve as a stark reminder of how important it is to preserve this pristine, biodiverse and wildlife rich coastal zone.
“We run for the protection of our coastline and the livelihoods of its people. All ticket proceeds will go towards holding these mining companies accountable,” he said.
At the start of the 21km race, more than 140 runners were treated to a special ceremony by indigenous fisher women from Papendorp who are famous for their net fishing technique. Several stirring songs, and even some poetry outlining the need to preserve the coast, set the tone for the start of the race.
Prior to the run the racers were treated to stirring songs from a local group of activists about their origins and the importance of protecting the coastline.
Managing Director of PTWC Mike Schlebach said it was heartening to see the positive impact that Run West had on the local community: “We encourage events and activities in harmony with the environment to attract resources and jobs for communities. Run West does exactly that. A huge thanks to Dom and the crew at Run West for their dedication to the cause from all of us at Protect The West Coast.”
Several members of the PTWC team entered this year, with Camila Budden, Miles Masterson, Patrick Forbes and Steve Pike successfully completing the 21km.
PTWC’s Steve Pike was the oldest competitor on the 21 km course, for which he received special recognition at the post-event prize giving ceremony.
The run took place fresh off the back of two applications by mining company Trans Hex for a mining right to dredge for diamonds from two “B” deepsea concessions (11B and 13B) offshore from the coastal section of the 21km route (from 1km to 5km out to sea).
The second application was to prospect for heavy minerals, gemstones and rare earth metals much closer to shore along the same stretch of coast in the two “A” concessions (11A and 13A) from the surf line to 1km out to sea.
Public participation is key when these applications are considered, so please sign up to the new PTWC public participation portal Ripl, register an Interested & Affected Party (I&AP) and voice your concerns. The comment window for the two applications expires on October 1.
Race supporter NSRI were on watch to deal with any emergencies at the 21 km run halfway point, as PTWC’s Steve Pike realises he has another 10.5 km to go. Head of Legal Patrick Forbes reminds the runners why they are here – to support PTWC in its crucial work, which included the prevention of mining on the Olifants River Estuary through a court order last year.The resort town of Strandfontein, a welcome site for the 21 km runners at it marks the halfway point of the longer race, as well as the starting point of the 10 km run, to Doringbaai.
Please consider donating to our cause so we can continue to fight illegal and destructive mining on the West Coast of South Africa.
Critical flaws in the initial Public Participation Process (PPP) for a Prospecting Right by Richwill Diamonds (Pty) Ltd on a 412 hectare portion of the farm Karoetjes Kop (No.150) near Koekenaap have led the authorities to mandate the reopening of the application for public comment. Protect the West Coast (PTWC) has also observed several other shortcomings in the application documentation. PTWC urges you to sign up as an Interested and Affected Party (I&AP) to comment on and object to this application at www.ripl.co.za by 19 May.
Protect the West Coast (PTWC) has published its Annual Impact Report 2024, outlining the organisation’s achievements in 2024 and its strategic goals for the coming year. In the four years of its existence, PTWC has consolidated its role as a vital oversight organisation that unites stakeholders to hold to account the West Coast mining industry and the government entities that are meant to regulate them.
