Conceived in 2021 by Cape Town runner and surfer Dom De Jesus to raise awareness about rampant illegal mining on the West Coast, the latest leg of Run West attracted 145 entrants and raised more than R40,000 for Protect the West Coast (PTWC).
The first Run West entailed a marathon 550km run in six stages – or chapters – down the entire West Coast of the Western Cape from Groenrivier lighthouse to Cape Point lighthouse. The run garnered much media and public attention, that it grew into a social movement of like-minded souls showing solidarity for a special cause: raising awareness about unregulated mining and supporting and raising funds for PTWC.
Run West Chapter 7 comprised a 21km run from the Olifants River Estuary, and a 10km run from Strandfontein, to Doringbaai on September 24, snaking through pristine bays, deserted beaches and stunning coastal cliffs. The runners also passed through an unrehabilitated mining prospecting site. While galvanising the local community and providing a rare moment for them to gather, the runs were covered by several media entities to bring the collective fight against illegal mining into sharp focus.
Based in the Strandfontein campsite or rented accommodation nearby, many runners had never been to the West Coast. They were amazed by its natural beauty and horrified to see the extent of the devastation caused by coastal mining – in particular by Trans Hex at their abandoned mining prospecting site near Doringbaai. The designated running trails along the coast were polluted by building waste and rubbish dumped on the beaches and cliffs… Read More
