Run West

Chapter One ‘Swaar Sand’ 120km  Groenrivier to Olifants River Mouth The first few strides carried a very unfamiliar feeling as runners. Slow, unpredictable, and far wilder than we had imagined. A unique and intimate connection with the West Coast was beginning to unfold. ‘Swaar Sand’, meaning soft sand, quickly taught us how this coastline asks to be approached. With patience, respect, and a quieter pace. Only then do you begin to see how alive it truly is. 80km in, that connection was suddenly broken when a mining operation forced us off the coastline, preventing us from completing the journey to the Olifants Estuary. But in many ways, not finishing became its own kind of starting line. The experience, the people, and the influence this region had on us planted the first seeds of what would slowly become Run West. Little did we know how much those three days of running would shape the years that followed. Images - @damienschumann

Run West 2026 is officially live 🦩 Entries are now open. Head to runwest.co.za⁠ for all the details and to secure your spot. Entries are limited, don’t miss it! See you on the West Coast 🌊 Footage by @damienschumann #runwest #fortheprotectionofourwildshores #nest

- ANNOUNCEMENT - We’re proud to announce that Patagonia is once again standing behind Run West as our Main Title Support. Their support goes beyond the event, it’s a shared belief in protecting wild spaces and approaching them with care and intention. That alignment is what makes this partnership meaningful. It’s not just about showing up, but about standing for the same things. Thank you to Patagonia and to this community for continuing to show up with us. We can't wait to see you all! Entries open Monday 4th May. Limited tickets available.

- JUST A LITTLE REMINDER - Entries open 4 May! (just 5 days to go! ) The countdown is officially on, and we can already feel the excitement building. Every year the energy, the community, and the purpose behind this adventure remind us why we started. Tickets will be limited as always, so make sure you’re ready when entries go live. Gather your crew, lace up the takkies, and get set for another unforgettable day on the West Coast. Plenty more announcements on the way so stay tuned!! Images- @slam_clark

We get asked this a lot… “How did Run West start?” So we thought we’d take you back. Back to the early mornings, the long days out, the big ideas, and the small steps that slowly turned into something more. Over the next few months, we’ll be sharing Run West Origins, chapter by chapter. The stories, the challenges, the people, and the moments that shaped the journey. Because Run West didn’t just appear one day. It was built over time, step by step, run by run, alongside a community that believed in something more. Welcome to Run West Origins. Let’s go back to where it all began. # fortheprotectionofourwildshores #Nest #Westcoast Image1 - @zaczinn Image2&3 - @damienschumann

NEST We have been Nesting on the West Coast and building for longevity slowly and carefully!The journey to finally get to this point has been unreal with all the emotions. We just want to say thank you. To every single runner who has taken part over the years.You are the heart of Run West. Without you, we wouldn’t be here. To our partners, thank you for backing us, believing in the journey, and walking this road with us. And to our wider community , your support, encouragement, and presence mean more than you know. We’re proud of what we’ve built together, and grateful to be part of something bigger than ourselves. 🤍 Video by: @damienschumann #runwest #nest #fortheprotectionofourwildshores

Entries open 🌼🌊 04 May 2026. Lock it in We can’t wait to welcome you back to the West Coast and share what’s been taking shape. Footage by @damienschumann #runwest #nest #fortheprotectionofourwildshores

Save the date 🌼🌊 26 September 2026. We know we’ve been a little quiet. We’ve been busy Nesting, shaping what comes next along this stretch of coast. Now we’re back. With more to come. Run West is calling you back. #runwest #nest #fortheprotectionofourwildshores

✨ Let’s support local, celebrate creativity, and grow together! ✨ Meet 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲, a proudly Namaqua West Coast business founded by two enthusiastic women — Mershia Cloete and Irene Fortuin from Papendorp, who saw the opportunity to turn something small from their humble kitchen into a source of income. With job opportunities becoming increasingly scarce, they chose not to wait passively but to take action and build something of their own. What began with simple yet delicious offerings like roosterkoek, baked bread, and potbrood quickly found a place in the hearts of the local community and beyond. 🌟 Their biggest breakthrough came when they had the privilege of joining @runwestsa Trail Run Festival for four consecutive years, setting up their stall in Strandfontein at the horseshoe registration point. Recognising their potential, RunWest gifted them a Rocket Oven, sponsored by their investors, doubling their baking capacity. For this, they remain deeply grateful. 🏖️ Over the December holiday, they proudly supplied bread to Kommetjie Store in Strandfontein, grateful for the chance to see their products on the shelves. Though they may not yet be where they dream to be, they are no longer where they started. With every loaf, every customer, and every new door that opens, they are steadily building a stronger future. 🎉 Locals and visitors alike can order directly from Mercia at 072 720 7979 or Irene at 071 381 3358. Enjoy fresh, homemade bread - ideal for picnics, road trips, festive gatherings, or just the joy of a loaf made with love. Beautiful images captured by @dee_du_plessis @weskustourism @discoverctwc . #NamaquaWestCoast #DiscoverCTWC #Papendorp #Weskus #PhakamaMatzikama #Matzikama #VisitNamaquaWestCoast #visitnwc #findyourself #SupportLocal #MerineEnterprise #WomenInBusiness #CommunityPride

A progress update filled with gratitude ❤️ Back in September, during our RunWest event, we proudly delivered a brand-new rocket oven to our partners 'Mersia’s Traditional Breads'.Today, we’re thrilled to share how this gift has already begun transforming her small business. Mersia shared: “This contribution has strengthened the foundation of my business and opened new doors for growth, efficiency, and opportunity. Because of your belief in my vision, I can now serve my customers better and expand the services I offer.” Her production has increased, her workflow is smoother, and her ability to meet community demand has grown — exactly the kind of impact we hope to create. A huge thank you to our big-hearted friends and partners at @artisansupthealley for the support and knowledge in creating the oven and the wonderful workshops provided to help guide the vision and to everyone who joined us at the RunWest event. It’s amazing to see how the simple movement of running and community can create real, tangible change,helping local talent like Mersia grow and thrive. Your generosity, guidance, and community spirit made this possible. Here’s to continued growth, opportunity, and community upliftment on the West Coast. Thank you for the beautiful mages- @dee_du_plessis

Hey everyone, It’s been a little quiet from our side since the event, but we’ve been weaving our NEST along the West Coast - building, planning, and expanding the reach of our environmental education work. 🌱 These past few months have been all about empowering young people with practical environmental knowledge and hands-on experiences that inspire long-term stewardship. A special and heartfelt thank you goes to the Made Better Together Foundation @mbtfoundation for partnering with us and helping bring this water-conservation lesson plan to life this past week. Your support has played a vital role in the foundation phase of our work. 💧 2026 is shaping up to be a big year as we root NEST even deeper in local communities - strengthening programs, forming new partnerships, and creating more opportunities for children to learn, explore, and connect with their natural environment. 🌿 Lastly, a huge thank you once again to all the runners, adventurers, supporters, and partners who made Run West what it was this year. Your energy and belief in what we do have directly helped us nurture and continue to drive environmental education on the West Coast. We couldn’t do it without you. Run West 🌊🏃‍♂️ Images - @nicdejesus

Desert Blues Between Cape Town and the Namibian border exists only three estuaries, the Orange, the Berg and the Olifant’s River. Estuaries, as nurseries for fish and avian populations are vital for healthy marine ecosystems. In spite of their industrial nature, both the Berg and Orange River estuaries are recognised RAMSAR sites. Yet the Olifant’s River Estuary, the third largest estuarine system in South Africa and arguably the least developed, now inundated with mining applications, receives zero protection. This, in spite of intense campaigning to Cape Nature, & the Department of Environmental Affairs, Forestry & Fisheries (DEAFF) for formal protection since 2004 This is happening on your watch Cape Nature, DEAFF. The consequences of your inaction are devastating. #runwest #estuaries #namaquawestcoast #olifantsriver #westcoast #southfricathroughmyeyes #slowtravel #namaquawestcoasttourism #protectthewestcoast #birdlife #birdlife_sa