Why your old running shoes might be someone else's next step

Mari Leach, Discovery Vitality's Head Biokineticist, says that pre-loved running shoes can still make a significant difference. "We see it often. Sometimes people come to parkrun or want to start exercising, but they do not have the right shoes, or any shoes. It is uncomfortable, it can cause pain, and it can put people off engaging in physical activity."

That is where Vitality Give2Move, a shoe donation initiative launched in partnership with the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, comes in. The idea is simple: donate your pre-loved running or sports shoes, especially those with structural support and some life left, so that someone else can move more, with less pain and greater confidence.

"Even if a shoe has done 1,000 kilometres, it does not mean it is at the end of its life," says Leach. "It might not be ideal for marathons anymore, but for someone just starting out or in need of supportive footwear, it is perfect."

Because different people have different needs, a mix of donated shoes helps ensure a better fit for each person. As Leach puts it, "People do not necessarily need brand-new shoes to feel supported. They just need the right ones."

Donate your pre-loved and pre-loved shoes today and give someone else the gift of movement.

You can drop your shoes off at the following locations across South Africa:

• All Discovery Stores nationwide. (Find your nearest Discovery Store)
• All events in the 2025 Vitality Run Series
• All Team Vitality tier 1 and 2 hospitality events on our Vitality Race Calendar
• The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, Sechaba House, 202 Madiba Street, Pretoria and 120 Plein Street, Cape Town City Centre.
• Discovery Group offices across the country.
• Discovery Soccer Parks at Mall of Africa rooftop, Wanderers and Sandton.
• Selected Sportsmans Warehouse stores and Virgin Active clubs nationwide (Find your closest drop off point).

What no longer moves you could help move someone else.