The Unchain Challenge Lights Up Pretoria: Endurance Race Marks UOC’s Decade of Fighting Child Exploitation

PRETORIA – Under the shadow of the Voortrekker Monument, 24 teams comprising of 142 participants launched into the first Unchain Challenge on Saturday, 15 August 2026. The noon-to-midnight 12-hour team relay, organized by Unchain Our Children, turned a demanding 5-kilometre loop into a powerful fundraiser against child exploitation and human trafficking.

Runners completed a combined 291 laps—1 455 kms—across rough terrain that tested both body and resolve. A children’s team, running shorter 3-km circuits, finished among the top eight. Among the 6 children was a 10-year-old boy who covered 12 kms and two 12-year-old girls each completed an impressive 18 kms. After every lap, participants pressed a fingerprint onto a shared canvas, creating a collective mark of determination.

An intense contest unfolded at the front. Ford Sandton Turbos claimed victory with 27 laps and received the winged UOC trophy. Promac Ducks finished a close second on 26 laps, while The Ultimate Plodders took third with 24. Several car dealerships fielded teams, including three teams from Ford Sandton, three from Melrose-linked brands, Jetour, Foton and BAIC, and the Haval Team from GWM Hatfield.

Promac Paints, the event’s major sponsor and a long-standing supporter of UOC, brought visible energy to the course. The team’s inflatable arch and yellow ducks, made their presence unmistakable, while the company supplied water and Coca-Cola throughout the day and night. Promac Paints’ unwavering support underscored a deeply trusted and powerful relationship with the UOC.

As darkness fell, headlamp beams cut through the night, yet the strongest light came from the athletes’ unyielding spirit. Organizers noted that this tenacity mirrored the courage of child survivors who hold onto hope amid exploitation. UOC, now marking ten years of work, collaborates with specialized law-enforcement agencies to rescue children and hold perpetrators accountable. Endurance events such as the Unchain Challenge, focusses attention on the sustained effort required to confront the darkness many young victims face.

Security officers on horseback ensured a safe course together with Pro Shield Security which provided additional services. Pro Med EMS Ambulances were on board with their services, but luckily no injuries were reported. Radio Hi 5 Stereo provided live music, and particularly striking in their dedication to the cause, was the Reddingsdaad crew - Madelein Kruger and Charlene Oelofse, who assisted with registration and precision lap recording and three male volunteers who contributed their valuable services to ensure the smooth running of the event.

“Unchain Our Children wants to express our deepest gratitude towards every participant, all the sponsors and supporters, and the volunteers for their enthusiastic support of this epic event. We plan to have the Unchain Challenge as an annual event as the battle for the safety of children is a continuous war,” said Wayne van Onselen, Founder and Executive Director of Unchain Our Children.

The day closed with fingerprints covering the canvas and a clear message: the fight against child exploitation and abuse continues, one determined lap at a time.

Discover & Connect

Support Unchain Our Children:  Call Wayne:  072 364 8246

Report Child Exploitation:  Call Unchain Crisis Centre:  067 323 7116