The Pondo Trail Run which takes place this year from 28 May – 1 June offers runners the chance to traverse one of the world’s most untouched coastlines while raising funds for The Pondoland Conservation Trust and the Cipla Foundation’s Miles for Smiles initiative. Cipla is once again a proud partner, helping to fund corrective surgery for children born with a cleft condition.
This one-of-a-kind event, takes participants through the remote and rugged northern section of the Wild Coast, which is home to over 150 plant species found nowhere else on Earth. Run in three-stages, the trail pushes participants to their limits while making a lasting impact.
“This will be the fourth consecutive year that Cipla is participating in this event,” explains Paul Miller, CEO of Cipla South Africa. “Our partnership is not just about helping to preserve the jaw-droppingly beautiful Pondoland coast, but also to help make a tangible difference in local communities.”
Cipla representatives at the start line of the 2024 Pondo Trail Run.
Pondo Trail raises funds for cleft surgery
Funds raised from the event will directly support Operation Smile South Africa. In November 2024, the Wild Child Africa team had the privilege of attending a surgical programne at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha, where a dedicated medical team performed eight cleft lip surgeries, 14 cleft palate surgeries, and one fistula repair. In addition to surgical interventions, a parallel dental outreach program saw 885 patients receive critical oral healthcare.
The Wild Child Africa team attending the Surgical programme.
“The impact of these programmes is profound,” says Tim Botha, Director of Wild Child Africa. “Standing alongside Cipla at the Mthatha surgical programme and witnessing the smiles that our fundraising efforts made possible, was incredibly powerful. We are honoured to continue supporting this work through the 2025 Pondo Trail Run.”
Beyond its role in raising funds, Cipla will also be sponsoring paramedic support for this year’s race, ensuring runners receive expert care at the “Cipla Blister Bar”, where weary feet can be nursed back to health at the end of each day.
The event also continues to champion conservation, with funds supporting the Pondoland Conservation Trust, which works to uplift the local community and protect this ecologically rich and fragile coastline through low-impact, high-end eco-tourism.
To contribute to the fundraising efforts visit https://wildchildafrica.com/fundraising