Each bag was made from repurposed fabric, including T-shirts, curtain material and other fabric off-cuts. On average, the equivalent of approximately seven T-shirts was used per bag, giving new life to materials that might otherwise have ended up in landfill. The result is a functional, durable item designed for use long after race day, says the duo.

More importantly, it represents something beyond the product itself.

The project created meaningful work opportunities for women, turning accessible materials into a source of dignity and value. It is a simple but powerful model: waste-to-worth, where skills meet opportunity and creativity becomes a catalyst for change, adds the duo.

"We wanted this race to leave a positive footprint, not just on the trails, but in the lives of people connected to it. Seeing these bags come together, knowing they support women and give new life to discarded materials, adds a layer of meaning that goes far beyond race weekend," says Elize van Staden, Organiser of the Black Mountain Ultra Trail and Founder of Traverse The Earth.

Re.Bag.Re.Use Founder, Regine le Roux adds, "Being part of this initiative was incredibly rewarding. We are used to working with repurposed plastic bags, but this project allowed us to explore fabric and other materials in a new way. It reminded us that there is so much potential in what we often overlook, and that it can be transformed into something both practical and meaningful."

For participants, the goodie bag became more than a collection of race-day items. It represented a practical example of how thoughtful choices can create meaningful impact.

In the end, the journey is not only about the distance covered on the trail. It is also about the difference created along the way, concludes the duo.

For more information, visit www.rebagreuse.com. You can also follow Re.Bag.Re.Use on Facebook, or on Instagram.

*Image courtesy of contributor