Running with purpose: iTOO, Comrades and a call to action for the industry

There are few events in South Africa that carry the weight, history and emotion of the Comrades Marathon. For many, it is a test of endurance. For others, it is deeply personal. For us at CN&CO, it is both.

We have been close to the race for years. CN&CO founder Carel Nolte sits on the Comrades Marathon Association board, helping guide the future of this iconic event. Both Carel and CN&CO shareholder Blake Dyason have run Comrades and, just as importantly, have used the platform to raise significant funds for charity. That combination of personal commitment and broader impact is what makes this race so special.

It is also why partnerships like the one just announced between iTOO Special Risks and the Comrades Marathon matter.

As the official specialty insurance partner for the 2026 race, iTOO is doing what it does best: bringing expertise to complexity. From event cancellation and contingency cover to liability and cyber protection, the business is ensuring that runners, organisers and stakeholders can focus on what really matters. In a world where uncertainty is part of the landscape, that kind of cover is not a luxury. It is essential.

Carel puts it simply: “Insurance often sits in the background, but events like Comrades remind us just how critical it is. When you bring together thousands of runners, volunteers and supporters, you need partners who understand risk at a deep level.”

That is something we care deeply about at CN&CO. Insurance is not just an industry we work in. It is a space we believe in. And partners like iTOO, who combine technical excellence with a genuine connection to the communities they serve, are exactly the kind of businesses we want to stand alongside.

Also read: Here’s what happens when sport meets insurance

But this partnership goes beyond insurance.

The Run99 initiative, launched as part of the build-up to the 99th Comrades, is where things get really interesting. It is simple in concept: collect pre-loved running shoes and get them onto the feet of aspiring athletes who would otherwise go without. In practice, it has the potential to be transformative.

“Running changed my life,” says Carel. “And something as basic as a pair of shoes can be the difference between someone standing on the sidelines and someone finding their way onto the start line. Run99 is about opening that door.”

Collective action

This is where the broader running and insurance communities can step in.

“Through initiatives like EasyEquities Born2Run, we have already seen how powerful collective action can be,” says Carel. “Clubs, corporates and individuals coming together not just to run, but to build something bigger. Run99 fits perfectly into that mindset.”

So here is the ask: If you are part of a running club, get involved. If you have shoes you no longer use, donate them. If you are connected to the industry, help amplify the message. Let’s make this more than a side initiative. Let’s make it part of what Comrades 2026 stands for.

Because at its heart, Comrades has always been about more than the run between Durban and Pietermaritzburg. It is about perseverance, community and giving back.

And if we can use the momentum of the 99th race to get more people moving, more people supported and more stories started, then we are doing something right.

As Carel says: “The finish line is important, but what really matters is how many people we can bring along for the journey.”

How to donate

Keep an eye on iTOO’s social channels (@iTOOexpert) and website. They are publishing a list of collection points around the country, especially at running stores, clubhouses and partner offices in the build-up to Comrades.