Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) hosted its fourth annual HealthCare Run on Saturday, 9 May 2026, bringing together more than 1 800 runners at the Volkswagen PeoplePavilion in Kariega for a day focused on wellness, community spirit and healthy living.
Participants competed across three race categories, including a 5km fun run, 10km race and 21.1km half marathon. All routes started and ended at the Volkswagen PeoplePavilion while taking runners through Volkswagen’s Plant Kariega, offering a unique race-day experience inside one of South Africa’s leading automotive manufacturing facilities.
Although the HealthCare Run was initially established as an internal wellbeing initiative for Volkswagen employees, the event once again welcomed the broader Nelson Mandela Bay community, including employees’ friends and family members. The inclusive format contributed to strong participation across a wide range of age groups and fitness levels.
The event forms part of a larger global Volkswagen wellness programme hosted across 20 Volkswagen sites worldwide, reinforcing the brand’s ongoing commitment to employee wellbeing and community engagement.
In addition to promoting healthier lifestyles, the 2026 edition of the HealthCare Run also supported a local cause. Volkswagen Group Africa donated R20 000 from the proceeds of the event to Miracle Kids Stimulation Centre, a non-profit organisation dedicated to rehabilitating, stimulating and integrating disabled children into mainstream schools around Nelson Mandela Bay.
The HealthCare Run also forms part of the build-up to Volkswagen’s 75th anniversary celebrations, which will take place later this year.
“This event continues to grow as a flagship wellbeing initiative for Volkswagen Group Africa,” said Satish Ranchod, HR Director at VWGA. “It promotes healthy lifestyles while strengthening our connection with the communities in which we operate.”
Several standout performances were recorded across the three race categories. In the 5km event, Janco Landman claimed victory in the men’s division with a time of 18:25, while Keara Domingo won the women’s category in 22:33.
Keanu Domingo secured top honours in the men’s 10km race with a finishing time of 29:43, while Amanda Detshe took first place in the women’s division with a time of 40:42.
The 21.1km race saw Cwenga Nose dominate the men’s category in an impressive 1:03:54, while Refeloe Solomons claimed victory in the women’s event after crossing the line in 1:23:33.
