The City of Cape Town has announced that the 2025 Two Oceans Marathon charity has raised R230 000 in support of Volunteer Wildfire Services.

In a striking fusion of endurance, heroism, and public spirit, a group of Cape Town firefighters, joined by former Springbok rugby star James Dalton, took on the 2025 Two Oceans Half Marathon wearing their full operational gear—including helmets, fire jackets, boots, and even self-contained breathing apparatus.

What began as a symbolic challenge turned into an extraordinary act of service, as the team raised over R230,000 to support the Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS), an organisation at the frontline of fighting the growing threat of wildfires in the Western Cape.

The effort is part of an annual tradition that began in 2017, originally intended as a one-time stunt. But after capturing the hearts of the public and igniting awareness of the dangers posed by Cape Town’s fire seasons, it has become a staple of the Two Oceans event.

For these firefighters, the grueling 21.1-kilometre course is about more than fitness or fundraising—it’s about solidarity with the communities they serve and a visual reminder of the weight they carry, literally and metaphorically.

Two of the leading figures in this year’s challenge were Jermaine Carelse and Renaldo Duncan, both respected members of the Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services.

With years of experience battling some of the province’s most dangerous fires, Carelse and Duncan once again committed to running the entire course in their full firefighting kits, each weighing close to 10 kilograms.

Their determination turned heads and inspired cheers from fellow runners and spectators alike, especially when the late-morning sun pushed temperatures upward.

Their fellow teammates, Liam Gannon and Thomas Lennon, completed the core team, and they were joined this year by none other than James Dalton, the former Springbok hooker whose no-nonsense play style earned him a fierce reputation during South Africa’s golden era of rugby.

Dalton, who has embraced a variety of charitable causes since his retirement, said he was honoured to run alongside the firefighters and humbled by the experience of donning the gear.

He joked that despite years of scrums and physical punishment on the field, the marathon in fire gear was “a different kind of brutal.”

What’s more extraordinary is the fundraising effort that surrounded the challenge. Through public donations and key corporate support—most notably a R100,000 contribution from insurance giant Santam—the initiative surpassed its original goal, bringing in R230,000.

These funds will be used primarily to replace a vital operational vehicle that the VWS depends on to reach and manage wildland fires, often in remote or mountainous terrain.

This support is urgently needed. From October 2024 to March 2025 alone, the Western Cape saw nearly 9,500 non-structural fires, underscoring just how real and relentless the threat has become.

As climate patterns shift and hot, dry conditions become more frequent, the fire season is no longer just a seasonal nuisance—it’s a persistent crisis that demands constant vigilance and ever more resources.

Volunteer Wildfire Services, staffed by trained volunteers and reliant entirely on public and private donations, plays a pivotal role in this fight. With limited access to government funding, the organisation must continually innovate and rally public support to stay operational.

Its crews often work in tandem with the City’s firefighting teams, especially in areas like Table Mountain National Park, where quick access and specialized training are essential.

Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, praised the runners and the donors, highlighting how collaborative efforts between the city and organisations like VWS have become essential.

“These partnerships are not just helpful—they’re critical,” Smith said. “The generosity shown by participants and sponsors this year ensures that our teams remain prepared, equipped, and ready to act.”

For VWS CEO Claire Lötter, this initiative was not only a funding success but also an emotional triumph. “The dedication of these firefighters—and the love shown by ordinary South Africans—is overwhelming,” she said.

“We often work behind the scenes, in the dust and smoke, and it’s easy to feel unseen. But this event shines a powerful light on the work we do and reminds us that we are not alone.”

And then there were the runners themselves—sweaty, smiling, triumphant as they crossed the finish line. Some bore blisters. Others had sore backs.

All of them, though, radiated pride. Carelse, a veteran of the run, said the heat was intense and the route unforgiving, but the thought of supporting wildfire response teams kept his feet moving.

“It’s tough, yes,” he said, “but not as tough as fighting flames in gale-force winds on a mountain slope. This is our small way of giving back.”

The spectacle of uniformed firefighters pounding the pavement, surrounded by cheers, captured imaginations far beyond the race route.

Social media lit up with photos and messages of support, and donations continued to roll in even after the race concluded. Some supporters expressed a desire to participate next year, whether by running or simply backing the cause.

The Two Oceans Marathon has long been a beloved fixture on South Africa’s sporting calendar, known for its scenic route that winds through some of the most beautiful landscapes of the Western Cape.

But moments like these—the fusion of purpose, performance, and compassion—remind everyone that sport can be more than just a competition. It can be a force for unity, for awareness, and for change.

As the sun set on the 2025 event, the heroes in helmets packed away their gear and returned to their day jobs—protecting lives, land, and communities. But their run through Cape Town’s streets won’t be forgotten any time soon.

It was more than just a race. It was a message. A message that even in times of challenge, when the fires rage and the heat rises, there are those who will run into the flames—so the rest of us don’t have to.