Run to play
Date: Saturday, 14 March 2026
Location: Johannesburg Zoo, Jan Smuts Avenue and Westwold Way, Parkview
Distances: 2km | 5km | 8km
Start time 5km and 8km : 07h30
Start time 2km : 8h00
2km: R80 per runner | 5km: R150 | 8km: R250*
* 8km entry includes running T-shirt.🗓 Closing date to qualify for your free 8km T-shirt: Monday, 2nd March
For 2km and 5km entrants, running T-shirts on sale for an additional cost of R100 per T-shirt. After 2 March, we have only limited stock available.
Entry includes race number, access to the pop-up toy library, entertainment and more!
All individual and group entrants can collect race packs at the front entrance of the Johannesburg Zoo on:
🗓️Friday, 13 March
⏰9:00 am to 5:00 pm
We strongly encourage all runners and walkers to collect their race packs on Friday. While limited race pack collection will be available on Saturday morning before the race, we recommend avoiding this option to prevent long queues and the risk of missing your race start.
Collect early, arrive relaxed and be ready to Run to Play!
The Johannesburg Zoo has a parkade with sufficient parking available for all runners and spectators attending the Cotlands Run to Play.
🚗 Parking is free and included as part of the race entry, and is easily accessible from the Zoo entrance. To help ensure smooth traffic flow and avoid unnecessary congestion in the surrounding neighbourhood, please do not park in the streets around the Zoo, as this may cause additional traffic congestion. We encourage all participants to make use of the designated Zoo parkade parking.
⌚We also recommend arriving at least one hour before your race start time to allow enough time for parking and getting to the starting line.
Cotlands’ Run to Play is more than a race – it’s a movement.
The #PledgetoRun movement invites runners, walkers, families, and corporate teams to enter early and show their commitment to helping vulnerable children access play-based early learning
opportunities.
🧡 By pledging, you help us:
• Raise funds for play-based early learning for children who have no access to any early learning programme.
• Bring the community together for a family-friendly day of running and fun.
• Give vulnerable children access to play-based learning that can transform their future.
By taking part, every entry helps Cotlands set up more Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Hubs that consist of toy libraries, birth-to-two playgroups and offers ECD practitioner training to improve the quality of early learning services in marginalised communities.
- Pop-up toy library experience
- Music and live entertainment
- Food stalls and refreshments
- Children's play area
- Photo booth stops along the route
Discovery Vitality members can earn 300 Vitality points for completing a 5km and 8km run.
Not a member yet?
Scan the QR code to join Vitality free for 3 months and earn immediate rewards from day one.
Use Run to Play as your company’s team-building initiative with purpose. Get your team to walk, jog or run — and show your brand’s commitment to giving back. Corporate branding and activation opportunities available. Please email marketing@cotlands.org for more information.
