THE names of the 10 women who have been killed at the hands of gender-based violence in Ekurhuleni were on the minds of the runners who stepped up and took part in the In her Honour Run on September 19.

Also read: Training tackles GBV scourge in Wentworth

The Bluff Athletic Club organised the run as an outlet for the community members’ grief, heartbreak and frustration. Runners were given the option of a 25km and 20km run but were allowed to exit the run at any point.

The sombre weather added to the melancholic mood as runners carried the weight of South African women’s cry for help.

Janine Stadler, secretary for the club, said that the run was emotional and impactful.

“We embarked on the In Her Honour Run because we wanted to turn our grief, anger and frustration into something positive, a movement where our voices could be heard. As runners, we spend so much time on the roads, and we know what it feels like to question whether we are safe. But this is bigger than running. It is about every woman who deserves to walk, run, work and live without fear,” she said. 

Stadler added that they had a variety of runners from teenagers to seniors and men to women. She said at the end of the day they all came together for the united message of enough is enough.

Every kilometre we did had a purpose, it was not about pace, distance or competition, we were running for something bigger than ourselves,” she said. 

For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox.