PONDO Trail Run 2025

The PONDO Trail Run is a three-day stage race through the rugged, untouched beauty of the northern Wild Coast — a globally recognised biodiversity hotspot home to more than 150 endemic plant species. Accessible only by foot, this stretch of coastline offers not just a formidable physical challenge, but a rich and immersive wilderness experience.

As the 2025 PONDO Trail Run draws near, Wild Child Africa is proud to renew its collaboration with the Wild Coast Sun in support of the Gift of Warmth initiative — a simple yet powerful act of giving that brings comfort to families in Pondoland as winter approaches.

This meaningful project invites trail runners to arrive at the Wild Coast Sun not only for registration and race prep, but also to bring along winter essentials — beanies, scarves, gloves, jackets, socks, and blankets — for schoolchildren living along the PONDO Trail route. As the official accommodation partner, the Wild Coast Sun plays a key role in collecting these donations, generously providing 100 blankets of their own, and helping distribute them to rural schools in the region.

“Our runners carry their donations with them and hand-deliver them to children in the communities along the trail,” says Matt Botha, Founder of Wild Child Africa. “It’s a humbling and beautiful way to begin the journey — a reminder that this run is about much more than just distance and elevation. We’re incredibly grateful to the Wild Coast Sun for championing this partnership and helping expand its reach.”

Click here for more PONDO Trail Run details and entries.

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