Runner from Amanzimtoti, Saloshni Naidu, plans to return to the Comrades race in 2027 with the goal of raising at least R10,000 for the organization Rise Against Hunger Africa.
Naidu continues to focus on preparing for the 2026 Comrades marathon, where she completed her first Up Run type race in 11 hours, 32 minutes, and 44 seconds. However, instead of considering the finish line as the end of her participation in Comrades, the key account consultant decided that this would be the beginning of something more significant.
Currently, Naidu is actively preparing for the landmark 100th edition of the iconic ultramarathon, which will take place on June 13, 2027. This time, she is using her running journey to raise at least R10,000 to support Rise Against Hunger Africa.
The 2027 competition marks a major milestone in global running sports, as it will be the 100th edition of the ultramarathon and the 50th Down Run, where participants will move from Pietermaritzburg to Durban under the official slogan 'The Greatest Story Ever Run'. For Naidu, this story goes far beyond her personal athletic achievements.
She stated that she wanted her next Comrades participation to have a purpose that extended beyond personal success. The choice of Rise Against Hunger Africa reflects a growing commitment to combining her passion for long-distance running with direct aid to vulnerable communities. She hopes to engage family, friends, running buddies, and corporations in her campaign, with all donations through her official Comrades charity page going directly to this organization.
The non-profit sector warmly welcomed Naidu's decision. Kim Carrington, Fundraising and Events Coordinator at Rise Against Hunger Africa, emphasized that Naidu's participation creates an important opportunity to convey the organization's message to wider communities and professional circles. Carrington noted: 'Every kilometer she runs creates an opportunity to start a conversation about hunger, raise awareness, and prompt someone else to become part of the solution.'
Naidu's motivation to fight hunger is deeply connected to the awareness of the daily difficulties faced by many families in South Africa. Her involvement with Love 2 Run AC, a member since 2022, constantly demonstrates her commitment to public service. During a recent weekend in honor of Mandela Day on July 19, club members gathered to feed 100 pensioners at the Nelson Mandela Youth Centre.
Naidu shared that it was a privilege to help the community and those who have contributed so much to our society. This experience reinforced a fundamental lesson she began learning through the discipline of running: personal achievements can easily become a powerful means of helping others. She believes that running is not just a personal accomplishment but also a way to make a positive contribution to the lives of others. This philosophy now underpins her physical and mental preparation for Comrades 2027.
Naidu started running several years ago to improve her personal health and fitness, but the sport gradually turned into a serious test of her physical endurance and mental limits. Her first Comrades participation in 2026 demonstrated the true scale of this dedication.
Memories of crossing the finish line in Durban as a novice became one of the proudest and most emotional moments of her life. She gives thanks to God for the strength and determination that allowed her to cover the long distance, as well as to her friend and running partner Peter Naiker, who ran alongside her every step of the way. This experience left her wanting to hit the road again, but with a real sense of purpose. While her personal goal for 2027 is to improve previous results and become a more confident finisher, her main objective is to ensure the success of this fundraising campaign.
This campaign directly addresses a critical issue across the country. According to the South African Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025 from Statistics South Africa, in 2024, 14% of South African households reported insufficient access to food, and 8.2% reported extremely insufficient access. Rise Against Hunger Africa confirms that funds raised through the Race4Charity initiative directly support the organization's efforts to improve access to nutritious food, with a special focus on early childhood development centers. The organization estimates the cost of preparing food at approximately R3.90 per serving, meaning R390 provides about 100 servings, and R3,900 provides about 1,000 servings.
For Naidu, these figures give tangible meaning to every contribution towards her target of R10,000. She aims to exceed this amount before race day by attracting corporate sponsors and local businesses. Carrington added that 'Saloshni can run kilometers, but every person who donates, shares, or supports her becomes part of this journey.'
Naidu's message to the public is simple: people do not need to participate in an ultramarathon to make a real difference. She concludes: 'If people are inspired to support a worthy cause, dedicate their time to volunteering, or simply help those in need, then this journey achieves much more than just crossing the finish line.'