About a thousand runners and walkers took to the Auckland Park streets on Saturday morning, 26 September 2026, for a dual-purpose fundraising University of Johannesburg (UJ) Future Forward Run. The Run, attracting young and old, families, students, alumni, families and local Johannesburg residents, took place at the UJ AW Muller Stadium on the Auckland Park Bunting Road Campus in a blue, clear skies that ushered in a perfect Spring fever to the UJ community.
Local club runners, lifestyle walkers and supporters from various parts of Johannesburg, assembled bright and early to participate in the highly anticipated event, turning the venue into a vibrant sea of orange with an enthusiastic vibe and community spirit. Drawn together by a shared mission to combine health, wellness, and a noble cause, participants of all fitness levels tackled the 10km, 5km, and 2.5km routes. Beyond the thrill of the road and personal bests, the event carried a profound purpose: raising critical funds for academically deserving yet financially needy UJ students.
The event also marked UJ Sport’s celebration of the International Day of University Sport (IDUS), using physical activity to build healthier communities. Speaking at the event, UJ Chirotractic student who, together with a chiropractic student and staff team from the Department of Sport and Movements Studies at the Doornfontein Campus, Bronwyn said, “We’re here to promote movement and sport in general, while we raise important funds for students. The local communities are also involved and our chiropractic students are providing massages to ensure that participants walk away with big smiles on their faces.”
She added, “Today, we are also celebrating IDUS. We have come together to run and walk as we encourage people to lead healthier livestyles. It’s beautiful being outside with a diverse crowd of people and I hope that we will have more and more people joining the walk in the coming year.”
From seasoned road runners striving for high-octane times to families, students, and staff enjoying a leisurely morning walk, the camaraderie was palpable from start to finish. The turnout highlighted the strong bond within the UJ community and reaffirmed the power of sport to drive meaningful social impact. As the final participants crossed the finish line to cheering crowds at AW Muller Stadium, the event concluded as a resounding success for the second time this year after the May event.
Winners of the three running distances:
- 10km 1st place: Tumelo Lerumo
- 5km 1st place: Sanele Msomi
- 2.5km 1st place: Ntokozo Ncube
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