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About
DJ Run
DJ Run is our annual running event. It is part of our campaign to create awareness about the importance of mental health and suicide prevention.
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Play Video
Video of co-founders Daniel van der Merwe and Gareth Kropman talking about where DJ Run started.
Join the cause
What is DJ Run
DJ Run is an annual event that is hosted by Watch Me Rise. The aim is to spread awareness of the importance of mental health and suicide prevention.
The core of DJ Run is fitness because with a healthy body comes a healthy mind.
All exercises are included. Anything that will help get the endorphins up and the brain into a positive state. Endorphins are fantastic to get you into a positive mindset – and a positive mindset means everything in life.
In 2020, we took DJ Run online by hosting our first virtual event during the pandemic. We have kept the event virtual as this allows anyone around the world to participate and has increased our global reach.
Join us, join the cause, and join the fight to raise mental health awareness. Let’s prevent suicide together.
Run for a cause
How did DJ Run start?
DJ Run started officially in 2018 as a mental health awareness campaign to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention.
It was initially started by Braden Murphy and Ryan Theron in 2017. They chose to run the distance their friend would have been on his birthday had he not passed. He would’ve been 28 and so they thought: “Let’s go and do a 28-kilometer run”… and they did it!
“I thought it was beautiful and an absolutely amazing idea. I really enjoyed the concept and asked in 2018: “Are you guys happy for me to try and run with this?”. Bearing in mind, my brother was not an energizer bunny, at all! I could just imagine him sitting up there having a beer and looking at us and going, “What are you guys doing?!” But you know what? 2018 came around, we put the message out there and we had quite a few followers coming and joining us.” – Gareth Kropman, co-founder of Watch Me Rise.
And year on year it’s grown. It’s been amazing to see how people get together, not just to run, but also to help out. It’s really, really amazing to see it come together.
speak up
Reach out
If you, or anyone you know, is struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, please reach out to one of the many free resources available.
24-hour toll-free emergency helplines in South Africa:
Suicide crisis helpline: 0800 567 567
CIPLA mental health helpline: 0800 456 789 / SMS 32312
Substance abuse helpline: 0800 12 12 14
More helplines are available at https://findahelpline.com/za/topics/suicidal-thoughts
More resources can be found here:
https://www.humanitas.co.za/counselling/free-counselling/
https://www.sadag.org/
https://october.health/
Search here for international helplines near you:
A look back
Previous years
Here you can find an archive of previous DJ Run participation and statistics pages.
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DJ Run 2024 Finale Event
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DJ Run 2024
DJ Run 2024 Here you will find all the information regarding DJ Run 2024. Thank you for helping us spread awareness of the importance ...
DJ Run 2023
DJ Run 2023 Here you will find all the information regarding DJ Run 2023. Thank you for helping us spread awareness of the importance ...
DJ Run 2022
DJ Run 2022 Here you will find all the information about DJ Run 2022. Thank you for helping us spread awareness of the importance ...
DJ Run 2021
DJ Run 2021 Here you will find all the information about DJ Run 2021. Thank you for helping us spread awareness of the importance ...