Cotlands Celebrates 90 Years With Run to Play Race

Photo Credit: Emrah Yazıcıoğlu via Pexels

Runners, families and corporate teams can choose from three distances while helping vulnerable children access early learning.

Johannesburg, South Africa (29 September 2026) – Cotlands is turning 90, and it is marking the milestone with a race that puts kindness and early childhood development at the centre of the action.

Entries are now open for the 2026 Cotlands Run to Play Race, powered by Old Parks Sports Club, which will take place on Sunday, 15 November at Old Parks Sports Club in Bordeaux, Randburg.

Runners, walkers, families and corporate teams can choose between a 2km fun run or walk, a 5km race and a 10km race, with every entry helping Cotlands expand access to its play-based early learning programmes for vulnerable children.

The timing is fitting too, with the event taking place just two days after World Kindness Day.

For Cotlands CEO Dr Monica Stach, the race is an opportunity to celebrate the organisation’s history while looking ahead.

“As Cotlands celebrates 90 years of kindness and impact, we are reminded that small acts of compassion can create extraordinary change. Hosting Our Run to Play Race just after World Kindness Day is a powerful way to honour legacy while looking to the future.”

Participants aren’t just running for themselves.

“Every runner, walker and supporter is helping us build a kinder South Africa, one where every child has the opportunity to play, learn, grow and thrive.”

And there is plenty planned beyond the running itself.

Families can look forward to the Cotlands Pop-up Toy Library, children’s entertainment, live music, food and a finish-line celebration, while corporate teams are being encouraged to trade the boardroom for the starting line and turn their team-building day into a social-impact experience.

With Cotlands celebrating nine decades of work, the Run to Play Race offers a pretty simple way to join the party: lace up, bring the family or your colleagues, and turn a few kilometres into something meaningful for children across South Africa.

You can find out more here.