Translation Matters | Run for the Bibleless 2026 | April-May 2026
RUN FOR THE BIBLELESS 2026
LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR
“It Takes a Village”
5am. Dark. Cold. Benoni. And somehow, the Run for the Bibleless team is already smiling.
There's a special kind of person who sets an alarm before sunrise on a Saturday to load water bottles and chairs into a bakkie for the joy of it. Wycliffe South Africa has a few hundred of them — and on one glorious Saturday in March 2026, they all showed up.
Welcome to Run for the Bibleless 2026 — where takkies take to the tarmac, boerewors hits the braai, and the Good News is moved one step closer to the people who've never heard it in their own tongue.
The 5am Crew (Aka the Real Heroes)
Before the sun had even considered waking up on Saturday 14 March, Alan was already at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Benoni, being met by the ever-dependable Stephen Keen with keys in hand. Cue a WhatsApp message from Marianne Soal at the Baptist Theological College: "Good morning Alan. Today I am thinking about you and praying for you." Nothing like a pre-dawn prayer to get the gazebos up.
Chris and Thabang arrived with a bakkie to load chairs and tables for the Kidz Zone (shoutout to Hela Keir from St Andrew's for wrangling the little ones). Matt soon arrived and the loading kicked into full gear. Gazebos appeared as if by miracle — actually by Wycliffe staff, family, and volunteers. Mission organisations set up their stands. Someone checked the weather and breathed a very large sigh of relief.
After a week of rain and some fairly stern cloud-based negotiations by our faithful intercessors, the sky delivered a perfect running morning. Thank you, Jesus!
518 participants. Three venues. One magnificent purpose.
🏃 356 runners and walkers turned out at the iconic Bunny Park in Benoni
🏃 61 participants in Mohlakeng, organised by Dr Mzondi from the Wycliffe SA Board
🏃 101 participants in Mbombela, brought together by the indomitable Anne-Wien Snaddon-Taylor
That's not just a fun run — that's a movement.
Bible Man, Boeries & a Boisterous MC
The atmosphere? Electric. Busani Mcingolwane brought the house down as MC, with a certain Bible Man roaming the grounds and spreading equal parts inspiration and laughter. Families came. Kids ran. Dogs walked their owners (we fully support this). In fact, we're officially putting it out there: R4TB 2027 needs a canine category. Dogs, take the lead - the people demand it!
Fuelling the whole affair were the legendary Boeries 4 the Bibleless team, ensuring no runner crossed the finish line on an empty stomach.
A Quiet Walk Worth Mentioning
Last year’s winner was from Slovakia. This year, Khanya from Lesotho, who practices in the mountains – perhaps an unfair advantage - won first place. Not every story at R4TB is about speed. Some took a more gentle approach this year, walking the course with friends and family. Someone even used a supposed shoulder injury as an excuse to walk. Sometimes the best runs are the ones where you stroll alongside a friend and simply thank God that everything went smoothly.
And it did. Every bit of it.
Thank You, From All of Us
To our sponsors, our exhibitors, our prayer warriors, our boerie-flippers, and everyone who laced up their shoes or cheered from the sidelines — you are the reason this works.
Every step taken on 14 March 2026 is a step toward a world where no community sits in silence, waiting for Scripture in their language. That's what we're running for. That's what we're translating for.
Save the date for R4TB 2027: Saturday 13 March. We'll see you at the start line.
Alan Webster
RUN FOR THE BIBLELESS 2026
Bible Man (Panashe Nyamande)
Bunny Park Event
The Run for the Bibleless 2026 took place on Saturday 14 March. The day began under uncertain skies, with some forecasts predicting rain. Despite this, we couldn’t have asked for a better day, with no rain and a welcome break from the intense heat experienced in previous years—an answer to prayer.
The set-up went smoothly, with everything ready on time, setting the stage for a great event. The atmosphere was vibrant throughout, with the duo of Bible Man and the MC bringing energy and enthusiasm. Impromptu moments of singing and dancing added to the joyful spirit, making it a memorable and uplifting occasion for all involved.
Featured in the Benoni Times
We are grateful to the Benoni Times for featuring the run and comments from participants, who share why they joined and the importance of Bible translation to them personally. You can read the full article here.
LuminAfrica Collaboration
LuminAfrica Director, Hans Combrink, posing with Bible Man at R4TB 2026
LuminAfrica is a Bible Translation collaborative of organisations based in South Africa. Together with key resource partners (such as The Seed Company), Wycliffe South Africa, SIL, Bible Society of South Africa, Hands With Words, The Word For The World, and Biblica, combine their strengths to support one another in addressing regional Bible translation needs. This year included participation from LuminAfrica’s Executive Director, Hans Combrink, who formed a strong relay duo with his wife, Patricia. Several partner organisations were also present as exhibitors in Benoni, demonstrating their shared commitment to practical collaboration. The Directors and CEOs of these organisations make up the Steering Committee, meeting regularly online and in Cape Town for in-person engagement. Incoming Board Chair, Karen Floor, who led Wycliffe SA until 2021, continues to be a valuable resource to Bible translation efforts globally. For more information about LuminAfrica and the 14 projects they support across southern Africa, visit www.luminafrica.bible
| Fun Run - 7km | Fun Run - 3.5km |
|
1st place - Khanye Mabula, Impact Missions |
1st place - Josh Soal, Rosebank Union Church 1st female - Emily Wilkins, God First Benoni 1st under 16 - Reuben Bester, Benoni Baptist |
| Kid's Race | Ages |
| 1st boy - Samuel Govender, House of the Lord 1st girl - Oona Braganca, House of the Lord |
Oldest fun runner - Ian McNair, 80, Connexions |
| Church with most Runners | Most Helpful Volunteer |
| God First Benoni | Christine Roberts, Sunshine Community Outreach |
| Bible Relay Team | |
|
House of the Lord Kira Hartmann |
|
| Prizes Pending | |
| Individual with most sponsorship Church with most sponsorship Church with most runners – God First Benoni – prize still to be given |
|
“What a great time and an amazing initiative!! Thank you.”
“Was well organised and a lovely event for a great cause. Room for improvement: More marketing so we can have more people aware of the event for next year.”
“Well done to the organizers as well as the workers. Most enjoyable morning - thank you.”
“I really enjoyed the run!!!!! There were nice food stands and we really enjoyed the time with other believers!!”
“I thought that the event was very well organized with tapes around the route, security presence, a water station, efficient registration, great shirts and even medals for participants! It was a pleasure to participate in an event for such a good cause.”
“Well run. Lots of valuable feedback from Wycliffe given. MC was brilliant.”
Biblica: Reach4Life
“Reach4Life is Biblica’s flagship discipleship program for young people aged 12 to 18+. It reveals God’s plan for identity, sexuality, and relationships — helping at-risk youth overcome temptation, make wise life choices, and walk with Jesus.”
A total of 32 participants, aged 12 years and older, from Soweto, Snake Park, and Slovoville joined the run. The group included a mix of Reach4Life peer educators and club participants, all of whom are involved in the 40-week Biblica Bible engagement programme.
Tshepo Kgapane, the Phakama Reach4Life SADC Coordinator, commented: “Run for the Bibleless by far is the best initiative in doing a visible contribution in advancing the kingdom through different Bible translations. I'm always grateful to serve Biblica and Phakama and to organize the annual Reach4Life- team for the Run.”
Participants had a great deal of fun, with Bible Man being a particular highlight. Many noted that they were not well prepared in 2026, but expressed their commitment to take part again in the next run, with hopes of winning the relay in 2027.
Bible League International
Bible League International works in South/Southern Africa through its regional hub to equip local churches with Bibles, training, and discipleship programmes, especially in under-resourced communities. In practice, this includes Bible distribution, evangelism and discipleship training, helping churches grow and reach their communities.
Trans World Radio
“Broadcasting since 1954, we are a global network of partnerships using media to take God's Word to nations, tongues and tribes around the world. Now, the gospel speaks 200+ languages on air, online and on the ground in 190 countries thanks to the Lord's work in our ministry!”
Bible Society of South Africa
“It is the task of the Bible Society of South Africa to provide affordable Bibles for everyone in their own language and in suitable formats so that all may experience the life-giving message of the Word.”
Benoni Child Weldfare
“Our focus is to protect and uphold the rights of our community’s children. We advocate on behalf of our children, who have been abused, neglected, abandoned or orphaned, to place them in an environment in which both their physical and emotional wellbeing is developed to give these children an opportunity for a better future.”
We are excited for the possibility of a special R4TB for the Child Welfares in the region next year.
Open Doors Africa
Open Doors Africa supports and strengthens Christians who face persecution for their faith by providing Bibles, training, practical aid, and advocacy across Africa and globally. In Southern Africa, it also mobilises and equips local churches to pray, give, and speak out for persecuted believers, helping connect them with the needs of the global Church.
Impact Missions
Impact Missions is a Christian ministry in South Africa that focuses on training, discipling, and mobilising people—especially young adults—for mission work and outreach. It provides mission training, camps, counselling, and community programmes, and takes teams on local and international outreach trips while supporting churches and projects (including Bible distribution and youth initiatives).
PHOLA
“PHOLA was founded to address the deep-rooted impacts of trauma on children, women, families, and communities across South Africa. PHOLA responds to these issues through culturally grounded, people-centered therapeutic approaches.”
We are currently in talks with PHOLA about future partnership opportunities.
MegaVoice
“MegaVoice International Africa NPC is a non-profit organization with the aim to distribute the word of God in audio and video to those that cannot and do not read. We are funding various projects reaching the lost in Africa, providing solar-powered audio Bibles & rugged video players.”
We are thankful to MegaVoice for their partnership over the years in providing audio devices with translated Scripture to the communities with whom we work.
Café Cruze
Oasis Water
“We bring life to your event through speciality coffee.”
We thank Cafe Cruze for faithfully providing delicious drinks at every R4TB event we have held.
“Clean, safe drinking water”
We are deeply grateful to Oasis Water for sponsoring water for our runners at this event!
Munching Monsters
Edleys
“Where fun meets flavour”
“A juice brand that South Africans can trust”
Boeries 4 the Bibleless
Boerewors rolls made especially for the event by Hennie Blomerus (Wycliffe SA Head of Finance), Rina Blomerus (Member Care), and their team.
ONE MISSION, MANY ROUTES
Run for the Bibleless in other locations
People gathering for the Nelspruit R4TB in Mbombela
Anne-Wien Snaddon-Taylor reached out to us after receiving an email about Run for the Bibleless, exploring the possibility of participating by organising a run in her own area. What began as a simple enquiry grew into a full-scale event with 100 attendees. The Sepulana Translation team from Bushbuckridge were also able to join and share firsthand about the importance of Bible translation, adding extra depth to the event.
Anne-Wien shared the following feedback with us:
“What a beautiful event it was. God had truly blessed us with a beautiful morning with no rain, as it was raining the day before and the day after. I was amazed at how many people still came to sign up on the day, realising they all made the extra effort to come and support this special event. The people from Wycliffe themselves added such a warmth to the event, as you could tell from their faces and hearts that they truly love what they are doing for God's Kingdom. We surely hope to do this in the years to come.”
-Lead Organiser, Anne-Wien Snaddon-Taylor
“Thank you for supporting us so well in making this fundraiser work. We look forward to working with you again next year. We started out as 2 homeschool families wanting to do a little more than just praying with our kids for the unreached people groups. This was a wonderful opportunity to do something physically with our kids in support of Wycliffe's work. We dedicated this run to the Lord from the start and we can only give glory to Him for how He worked in various people's hearts to pull this event together. Everything was sponsored! All glory be to our God”
-Organising Team
“After the Run for the Bibleless, this 10 year old boy got in the car with his mom and just started sharing how he enjoyed the run and time with his friends. He told his mom that he has already started thinking of how he wants to start saving money for next year's run, so he can sign up a Bible relay team for him and his friends.”
-Participant
“What a wonderful fun run, where the morning proceedings are interrupted for a talk about Bibles and Bible translation. And where different people from very different walks of life come together to run for one cause.”
-Church Leader
“Being a part of the organising committee for the 'Run for the Bibleless' was a blessing. From the planning phase to actually seeing 'all pieces of the puzzle' materialise was exciting. Waking up to a beautiful morning and arriving early on the neatly prepared Horizon Farm to see a variety of young and old selflessly preparing their respective stations was encouraging to see. There was much excitement and expectation in the air as the final touches were put in place. As a first time event the numbers did not disappoint, close to a hundred runners participated in the varying race day events. May God be praised!”
-Organiser
Our Board member, Modisa Mzondi, organised a Run for the Bibleless 2026 event in Mohlakeng on the same date, with participation from five churches. A total of sixty-one (61) people took part, including both registered participants who received T-shirts and those who joined without registering.
The event consisted of a 2.8 km route (1.4 km completed twice), starting at the entrance of Mohlakeng on Ralerata Street, near the Umphakathi Mall, and continuing to the recreation centre further along the same road.
The starting point was also where participants gathered in a circle for prayer before the event, and where a group photo was taken after completing the run and walk.
Participants gathering at the Nakuru run in Kenya
The morning of Saturday, March 14, 2026, attracted a sea of participants gathered across the cities of Nairobi, Nakuru, and Eldoret, not just to run and walk, but to advocate for Bibleless communities, a call aimed at sharing the Word of God in their heart languages. A significant step of hope, unity, and shared purpose.
The Run for the Bibleless 2026 in Nairobi attracted over 17,000 participants who responded to the call. More than 7,000 participants were registered in Nakuru, while Eldoret welcomed over 5,000 passionate individuals. Together, these participants shared a collective desire to see lives transformed through access to Scripture. During the event, a spirit of encouragement thrived among diverse groups, transforming various individuals into teammates united by a noble cause.
What made this event truly remarkable was not only the impressive attendance but also the significant impact it promised. We are grateful for the dedication of every participant. We look forward to making the complete Bible accessible to the Marakwet community in their own language. Additionally, several New Testament translations, including Kabarasi, Tugen, Taveta, and Tachoni, are in their final stages of completion, and we are looking forward to their dedication. These milestones will resonate and create a lasting impact. We are grateful for the progress made toward providing Scripture that is accessible, understandable, and transformative for many communities.
The Run for the Bibleless 2026 stands as a testament to faith in action, reminding us that everyone deserves the right to hear God's Word in their own language.
Cape Town
Spearheaded by Nicolaas Mokwane and his group of running friends, this run will be taking place on 28 June 2026. The group will be wearing the t-shirts and raising funds through their networks via GivenGain. To find out more and join or support them through sponsorship, see the links below.
R4TB Cape Town
Fundraising Page
Marenje in Mozambique
The Marenje translation team are organising their run to take place on 9 July 2026 in Mozambique. Our Senior Field Coordinator, Carol van Heerden, and regional Mozambique Field Coordinator, Jadreque Buanaite, will be joining them.
Sign up to the Run for the Bibleless mailing list to for more info - https://wycliffe.org.za/signup-r4tb
ANNOUNCEMENTS & NEWS
NEW BOARD CHAIR: GERHARD MARX
On the 27th of March, the Board unanimously elected Gerhard Marx as the new Wycliffe SA Board Chairman. We bless the outgoing Chairman, Sean Mooney, for his wonderful service, and are thankful for his excellence in all he did for Wycliffe SA. Let us pray for Gerhard and his family as he steps into this ministry. Gerhard has many years of experience in Bible Translation and currently serves as Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Translation Consulting for the Whole Word Institute.
KIDS WHO CARE
Hello friends!
Shoo! This year is really going fast! The first term is already finished! Speaking of things going fast, did you hear about the Run for the Bibleless 2026? This year was the third run, and more than 400 people took part in it on Saturday 14 March. Lots of them were children- just like you! They ran around the Bunny Park in Benoni. Some people did one lap, and some did two. Before and after the race, there was a fun area with all sorts of things to explore, eat and do.
One of the relay teams passing the Bible at the run
Maybe you are wondering what running around the Bunny Park in Benoni has to do with helping more people to get a Bible. I think that’s a good question. There are two ways that the run and more Bibles are linked. The first one is that more people find out about Wycliffe South Africa and the work that they do because of the run. The adverts and social media posts and the messages to lots of churches let people know that the run was going to happen. And then lots of people drove past the runners on the day or heard about the run from their friends who took part. Once they know about it, more people can get involved in helping and supporting Wycliffe.
The other way that the run helps more people to get a Bible in a language that they can understand is that it helps to provide more money so that Wycliffe can do the work that they do: translating God’s Word into many languages. Runners paid money to run in the event, and they also asked people to sponsor them. All this money was given to Wycliffe.
Samuel Govender, 8 years old, was the fastest boy in the Kid's Race
12 children ran once or twice around the route in the kids race, and more in the adult race. The person who came third in the whole 7km race (even against the adults!) was a teenager who is only 14! The youngest person who finished the race was less than a year old. There was also a team of young people who won the relay event. Maybe you would like to take part next year. You could get a team from your church, school or youth group to take part. It is such fun and you could even win a medal!
Lesedi
There was even a boy who started at the beginning of 2026 to get ready for the run in March. His name is Lesedi. He ran nearly 50km in total with his dad. He was so excited to be part of this and to play his part in raising awareness and money for Bible translation. Lesedi was interviewed and asked all about why he was running. He said that he was very sad that so many people do not have a Bible in their heart language. When they asked him what his favourite verse in the Bible is, he said that the whole Bible is important to him. Many people heard about what Lesedi was doing and sent money for him to pass on to Wycliffe. There were even people from Australia and Kenya who sent money! Maybe you could do something that you like to do and raise money for people who are Bibleless. Maybe you could ride your bike a certain distance or paint some pictures or play your musical instrument and let other people know what you are doing and why and ask for donations for you to pass on to Wycliffe.
There were a whole lot more kids at the Bunny Park to cheer for their parents and friends. They saw Bible Man and some other cool dressed people. There was so much for these children to do in the kids’ area. They iced Marie biscuits and overloaded them with yummy smarties. They also enjoyed the Lego, animal craft, playdough, car mat and ball toss. It was great fun! One boy came to the kids’ area and then ran off very excitedly to run the children's race. He had such a determined look on his face when he stood in the front of the row of runners and set off at top speed once the race started. One little girl fell over, but, after a quick visit to get fixed up in the emergency tent, she carried on and finished the race. There were some kind helpers. They painted the kids’ faces and some children were even allowed to decorate the helpers’ faces.
The Bunny Park is such a nice place to visit! But, maybe you feel that you are a bit too “old” for it now. If you take part in the Run for the Bibleless next year, you can get to see the Bunny Park while you are running around it. And you will help more people know about Wycliffe and Bible translation and raise some money to help more people have a Bible they can understand!
Why don’t you have a little run around the block TODAY and start training for the 2027 event! It will be great to see you there!
Aunty Gill xxx
