Press release -
Discovery Vitality and Nando’s bring the heat with the first-ever Vitality Chicken Run
Johannesburg, South Africa, 25 September 2025 –Discovery Vitality, in partnership with Nando’s, is proud to announce the launch of the Vitality Chicken Run, set to take place on Saturday, 8 November 2025 in the heart of Johannesburg.
Designed for everyone from seasoned marathoners to first-time fun runners, the Vitality Chicken Run celebrates the everyday athlete in all of us.
The Jozi CBD and its surrounding areas are buzzing with new energy, bold developments and a renewed sense of pride. This event is a chance for runners to experience that change firsthand – to move through the streets that are being reimagined and revitalised through the efforts of Jozi My Jozi.
From Constitution Hill and Nelson Mandela Bridge to the colourful courts of the Maharishi Sports Club and Ghandi Square, the run promises to be a celebration of fitness, flavour and fun. Plus, for every participant who crosses the finish line, a meal will be donated to a child in the Lorentzville community – making that final step over the finish line even sweeter.
“We’re so passionate about this city, so partnering with Discovery Vitality to showcase the incredible work Jozi My Jozi is doing to revitalise Joburg feels like a perfect match. And what better way to experience it than on foot, at night!” says Jess Wheeler, Marketing Director of Nando’s.
Beyond the run, participants can look forward to vibrant post-race festivities with music, entertainment and food, bringing Jozi’s unique energy to life.
Event details:
- Date: Saturday, 8 November 2025
- Location: Ellis Park Stadium precinct, Johannesburg
- Distances: 5km (R250 entry) and 10km (R350 entry)
- Start times: 10km at 17:00, 5km at 17:20 (Gates open from 14:00)
- Entry includes: official race shirt and finisher medal
- Parking: Limited parking is available around the Ellis Park precinct. To make your arrival smoother, dedicated Uber pick-up and drop-off zone locations, along with other transport details will be communicated soon. Keep an eye on our social media channels (@Vitality_SA and Discovery_SA) for updates and directions. We recommend arriving early to soak up the pre-race energy.
Enter now! Don’t miss this opportunity to run, walk and celebrate Jozi in a way that’s festive, fun and full of community spirit.
“The Vitality Chicken Run is a celebration of movement, community and Jozi’s unmistakable spirit. We’re thrilled to partner with Nando’s to create an experience that’s not only about running - it’s about showing up, having fun and making a difference. Through initiatives like Vitality Give2Move, we’re turning every step into an opportunity to uplift others and make movement more inclusive,” says Celeste Williams, head of marketing at Discovery Vitality.
Give2Move: Making movement possible for all
The Vitality Chicken Run, flavoured by Nando’s, is more than a race; it’s an opportunity to give back. Through Discovery Vitality’s Give2Move campaign, launched earlier this year in the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, South Africans are encouraged to donate new or gently used running shoes to communities in need. Participants are encouraged to bring their shoe donations to the race village and/or race pack collection, which takes place on the following dates:
- Wednesday 5 November: Sportsmans Warehouse Fourways Crossing (10:00 – 17:00)
- Thursday 6 November: Sportsmans Warehouse The Glen Shopping Centre (10:00 – 17:00)
- Friday 7 November: Discovery Head Office, Sandton (10:00 – 19:00)
For those without shoes to donate, financial contributions can be made via Afrika Tikkun, ensuring that more South Africans gain access to the tools they need to get active and live healthier lives.
ENDS
Editors Notes
Do you have new or pre-loved sports or running shoes gathering dust at home? You can donate them in our Vitality Give2Move collection boxes at designated spots across South Africa. Before you put them in the box, please clean the shoes as best you can and tie the laces together:
- Discovery offices and Discovery stores nationwide
- Select Virgin Active and Planet Fitness locations
- Select Sportsman’s Warehouse stores (including at race pack collection on 5 & 6 November)
- Discovery Soccer Parks
- Selected parkrun events
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About Discovery
Discovery Limited is a South African-founded financial services organisation that operates in the healthcare, life assurance, short-term insurance, banking, savings and investment and wellness markets. Since inception in 1992, Discovery has been guided by a clear core purpose – to make people healthier and to enhance and protect their lives. This has manifested in its globally recognised Vitality Shared-Value insurance model, active in over 40 markets with over 40 million members. The model is exported and scaled through the Global Vitality Network, an alliance of some of the largest insurers across key markets including AIA (Asia), Ping An (China), Generali (Europe), Sumitomo (Japan), John Hancock (US), Manulife (Canada) and Vitality Life & Health (UK, wholly owned). Discovery trades on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange as DSY.
Follow us on Twitter @Discovery_SA
About Vitality
Vitality is the largest global platform for behaviour change, underpinning the insurance products of leading insurers worldwide, impacting 30 million lives in over 40 markets. The Vitality model, established by Discovery Limited in South Africa, has been incentivising behaviour change among its clients for over 25 years. Vitality creates shared value by combining behavioural economics, clinical science, and financial incentives to encourage and reward members for taking steps to improve their health. The model began with a focus on health and wellness and has expanded to include short-term insurance, investments, and financial wellness.
