GivenGain, the Cape Town Cycle Tour and the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon challenge participants to make a positive impactGivenGain, the global charity fundraising platform founded by two South Africans, has reaffirmed its ongoing partnership with two of Cape Town’s most gruelling endurance events – the Cape Town Cycle Tour and the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon. The goal – to encourage participants of both events to leverage their race participation as an opportunity to empower communities and make an impact, whilst going the distance.
GivenGain’s partnership with the Cape Town Cycle Tour extends as far back as 2020, during which time a staggering R7.5 million has been raised by 800 cyclists in support of 170 charities. Similarly, GivenGain has been the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon’s official fundraising partner since 2018 – enabling 1 100 runners to raise close on R7 million for no fewer than 230 charities. Next year’s events, and fundraising targets, are poised to be bigger and better!
The biggest timed cycle race in the world, and covering a gruelling 109km, the 47th Cape Town Cycle Tour takes place on Sunday, 9th March 2025. It attracts tens of thousands of cyclists every year. Not only is it a magnificent event that sees a flock of domestic and international travellers surging into Cape Town, but it is also an opportunity for every cyclist to effect positive change whilst doing something they love. The GivenGain online fundraising platform helps it deliver a meaningful experience that transcends the event only.
Dubbed “Africa’s biggest running event and the world’s most beautiful marathon”, the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon takes place on the first weekend in April 2025. On Saturday, 5th April, an estimated 11 000 runners will take on the gruelling 56km ultra marathon, followed by approximately 16 000 half marathon runners on Sunday, 6th April 2025. “GivenGain is a key partner, and has been for many years,” says Lindy-Joy Dennis, Marketing Manager of the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon. “By accepting this fundraising challenge, runners can turn their participation into something far more meaningful, providing added motivation in the build-up and on the actual day itself. Every step counts – not only as an enormous personal achievement but also by helping to raise funds for so many in need across our communities.”
“Thanks to how the many good causes and charities have been able to leverage the fundraising machine that is GivenGain, and the enormous appetite for goodwill among our amazing Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon runners, we were able to exceed our R2 Million Challenge for Good Causes in 2024. More than sixty-five philanthropic causes were helped in the process. This year, we’re especially excited about Escape to Cape Town, who will be raising funds for local school development by running a non-stop relay from Gqeberha to Cape Town, culminating in a victory lap at the Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon. As an organisation, we cannot underscore enough the integral role our official fundraising platform, GivenGain, will play in mobilising national support,” adds Race Manager Hilton Kearns.
Renate Schoeman is one such hero, running last year’s half marathon to raise funds for Goldilocks and the Bear Foundation – a charity dedicated to developing resilient and resourceful children. This endeavour saw her raise an impressive R6 500 from 12 of her friends.
The online fundraising option for charity extends to companies as well, providing a fantastic opportunity for corporates to get involved and enjoy some team building while raising funds. Last year, the Omega Air company cycled in support of Sisanda Fundaytion, raising over R12 000, while the Leatt Corporation leveraged their Cape Town Cycle Tour participation in aid of Groote Schuur Hospital Trust, with ten employees raising an impressive R10 000.
“These are only some examples of the phenomenal fundraising initiatives that go hand-in-hand with these two events,” says Jannie Smith, Regional Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa at GivenGain. “Every year we see a growing number of fundraisers who are using these mass participation events, and others, as an opportunity to empower individuals and communities.”
“On average, an individual fundraising project on GivenGain raises R7 500, and this is just through their own personal networks (approximately 20 family and friends),” continues Smith. “Every single fundraising donation matters – there is no amount too big or too small. Collectively, it all makes such a significant difference in the lives of so very many. If all participants, across both events, accepted the challenge to use their participation as a fundraising opportunity, the result would be staggering.”
Any cyclist or runner taking part, not only those with a charity entry, can set up a fundraising project. “It takes less than three minutes, with easy sharing options directly from their fundraising page to help reach more donors,” says Smith. Fundraisers also receive immediate notifications when a donation is made, with new functionality allowing each donor to be individually thanked. “The fundraising pages on the GivenGain platform are also fun and interactive.” Fundraisers can upload pics, videos and even Strava updates, showing their preparation. This allows each fundraiser to take their own tribe of supporters on the journey with them – from preparation to the actual race day itself.
To start a fundraising project for your favourite charity, visit the official event pages of the Cape Town Cycle Tour or the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon and join GivenGain and the events in their shared mission to encourage and empower participants to make a positive impact in their communities.
For those cyclists or runners who would like to set up their own fundraising page but aren’t too sure how to start – simply email [email protected]. And remember to keep an eye out for GivenGain at the Cape Town Cycle Tour and the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon expos – some lucky fundraising participants will receive GivenGain branded race day apparel.
To find out more about GivenGain as a fundraiser, charity or an event, please visit GivenGain.