Run for Rangers, the two-day fundraiser that launches everyday runners onto the same wild terrain patrolled daily by SA’s wildlife rangers, is heading into its biggest year yet!
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (24 July 2026) – When the Run for Rangers event kicks off at Babanango Game Reserve from 31 July to 3 August, 22 runners will line up at the start – the largest field since the initiative began back in 2022, and three more than last year’s record-setting 19.
Rangers spend long hours in the field patrolling reserve boundaries, pulling snares out of the bush, standing between endangered wildlife and the people who’d do them harm. Run for Rangers exists to make sure they’re supported in doing that important work, channelling every donation into resources for the men and women on that front line.
The fundraising for this year is growing, too! With more than R261k already banked well ahead of race day, organisers are confident this could be the biggest year on record for donations. History is on their side, as most of the money tends to come in during the final stretch before the event, just before it ‘gets real’. Last year, almost R700k was raised when the curtains closed.
Familiar faces will be returning for this year’s action. Dean Murphy is back for a fifth year running, along with a handful of others returning for their third or fourth go at it. Hilton College, where Run for Rangers founder Harry Bailey first dreamed the whole thing up as a schoolboy, is a major part of the event’s story. This year, seven Hilton runners are taking part, including one tackling his third consecutive campaign.
Also running the dirt road this year is a South African, now based in Dubai, who flying back to take part, and an American student returning for his second consecutive run in support of the cause.
“Every year we’re reminded that people want to do more, that they want to be part of something meaningful,” he said. “Watching the support for our rangers continue to grow is incredibly encouraging and shines a spotlight on our rangers, whose work often goes unseen.” says Bailey.
The countdown has kicked off and organisers are hoping the public keeps showing up the way the runners have. Every rand donated goes toward strengthening the vital work of rangers protecting some of our most iconic wildlife.
Want to back a runner? Head to this link and pick a runner to support, or find out more here.
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