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Sappi to match every entry to help students clear debt and graduate
This year, every step at the Sappi Tuks Night Race will help deliver a degree. TuksSport, title sponsor Sappi and the University of Pretoria’s Department of Institutional Advancement (DIA) are proud to announce that the 2026 Sappi Tuks Night Race will officially support the UP #DegreesDelivered campaign.
For every entry sold across all distances, Sappi will match every entry sold and donate to the #DegreesDelivered campaign. The funds will be used to assist academically deserving UP students who are unable to graduate due to outstanding debt.
Through DIA, qualifying students will be identified and their debt settled, enabling them to receive their degree certificate – with a powerful moment planned to deliver degrees on the stage on the night of the event.
“Sappi’s Vision, which drives our Thrive Strategy is about unlocking potential and enabling communities to thrive”, says Michelle Le Roux, Public Relations and Marketing Lead, Sappi Southern Africa. “Turning 90 is not just about celebrating our past, it’s about investing in futures. By donating from every single entry bought, every runner becomes part of a student’s graduation story. This aligns perfectly with both our Thrive Strategy and UP’s Thrive UP 2038 strategy – When students thrive, we all thrive.
“The #DegreesDelivered campaign is about restoring dignity and unlocking futures,” says Sedwyn Anthony. “So many students have completed their academic requirements but cannot access their certificate due to financial constraints. Through this campaign, we will identify these students and ensure that funds raised through the Sappi Tuks Night Race directly clear the final hurdle. To actually hand over the degree certificate on race night – surrounded by thousands cheering them on – will be an unforgettable celebration of what giving back truly means”
“At TuksSport, we believe sport must have a purpose beyond performance,” says Steven Ball Director TuksSport, CEO HPC. “This initiative transforms the Sappi Tuks Night Race from just Pretoria’s ultimate night run into a movement. You don’t just run for yourself; you run so someone else can graduate. And with Joma Sport, TuksFM, USN and Volkanko behind us, we will make that celebration unforgettable”
How Your Entry Helps
● From every sold, Sappi will match the amount and donate directly to #DegreesDelivered
● 100% managed by DIA to identify academically qualified students with historic debt
● Degrees awarded live on the main stage during the Sappi Tuks Night Race event Night.
Race Details
Date: 9 September 2026
Venue: Hillcrest Sports Campus, University of Pretoria
Start Time: 18:30
Entries: Now open on Entry Ninja
● Official Technical Partner: Joma Sport – Spanish Performance Brand
● Title Sponsor: Sappi
● Official Sportainment Partner: TuksFM
● Official Hydration Partner: USN
● Seattle Coffee – Number One Coffee Parter
Enter today and run the night. Own the light. Live the Tuks Experience.
About the Sappi Tuks Night Race:
Hosted by TuksSport at the University of Pretoria, Hillcrest Sports Campus, the Sappi Tuks Night Race is Pretoria’s ultimate night running experience, combining sport, neon lights, music and community.
About TuksSport
TuksSport, the Sport Department at the University of Pretoria, has positioned itself, both locally and internationally, as a leader in the fields of participation in sport and managing and coaching sport. We offer a professional home for athletes and volunteers who participate in our programmes. As a catalyst for the development of sport, TuksSport adds value and contributes towards sustainable sport programmes for the broader South African community.
With a diverse range of over 30 sporting codes, our campus offers something for everyone. Whether you are a beginner seeking to explore a new sport or an athlete with a high-level profile, our home provides exceptional sporting opportunities worldwide.
We not only focus on top performers but also on club contestants and recreational participants. The high-performance programme provides services that range from scientific and medical to sports testing, fitness, technical and tactical expertise, sports injuries, and sport psychology support.
INFO SUPPLIED.