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28 November 2025
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Charnaud® Race to The Top marks 50 years of excellence in protecting our heroes
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Leading PPE/PPC supplier and manufacturer, Charnaud®, celebrates 50 years of producing and supplying world-class protective gear with a never-before-seen challenge in collaboration with one of South Africa’s most iconic landmarks.
The inaugural Charnaud® Race to the Top challenge, being held on 6 December 2025, brings together Charnaud®’s excellence in PPE, their pioneering reputation for innovation and safety and the country’s top 50 firefighters (male and female) at one of South Africa’s most iconic landmarks – the Leonardo Hotel in Sandton Central, Gauteng, South Africa.
Developed through close coordination and collaboration between Charnaud®, The Leonardo and key members of the firefighting community, the idea for Race to the Top was initially sparked by a conversation between Robin Charnaud, international key account and technical manager and community firefighters.
As Robin shares, “Gathering on-the-ground feedback from our customers and end-users is greatly important to Charnaud® – we make it our mission to know how our PPE performs in the line of duty and, through valuable end-user insights, how to adapt and innovate to offer even more…After a chat with a Gauteng firefighter, it was revealed that he and his colleague were climbing up all 57 flights of stairs at The Leonardo to test their endurance and fitness, all while wearing full turnout gear. Needless to say, the symbiosis was obvious and The Race to the Top concept was born.”
Further enhancing this partnership with purpose, is the invaluable role of The Leonardo. Without this mixed-use high-rise tower, the race route, operational access and logistical support required to host this unique challenge within one of Africa’s most iconic buildings, would not have been possible.
“The Leonardo is incredibly proud to host this remarkable event. These brave men and women are the unsung heroes who put their lives on the line to protect our communities and it is a privilege to provide a platform that celebrates their courage, dedication and unwavering commitment to public safety,” says Adrian Landry, GM of The Leonardo.
An event of this stature commemorates Charnaud®’s 50 years in the industry, and is a way to give back to South Africa’s everyday heroes - our firefighters. As a vote of gratitude, each competitor is gifted a Charnaud® FIRE-SAFE® AIR-LITE® Bunker Suit to keep irrespective of whether they place in the challenge or not. True innovation means being ahead of the game, and Charnaud® has done precisely that by ensuring each competitor receives their FIRE-SAFE® AIR-LITE® Bunker Suit ahead of the challenge – a unique opportunity for them to enhance their endurance and fitness training before the big day. Competitors will race to the top fully equipped in the FIRE-SAFE® AIR-LITE® Bunker Suit, helmet and gloves customised with a commemorative Charnaud® 50th Anniversary emblem inside a Maltese Cross (a symbol deeply rooted in firefighter tradition) and the South African flag.
As the customised suits have begun arriving at their respective new owners across the country, competitors have shared photos, videos and enthusiastic comments on group chats and internal networks. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing pride in the suit design and anticipation for race day.
“This is the first time I will compete alongside the country’s best firefighters, needless to say I am super excited and ready for us to show our mettle at this world-class event! I train hard in preparation for my role as a firefighter and my suit needs to match that. I have never experienced a suit like this; the FIRE-SAFE® AIR-LITE® Bunker Suit offers unparalleled quality - I challenge anyone out there to experience it and say otherwise.” shares Rand Airport Firefighter, Allan Mguni.
As Charnaud® celebrates 50 years of innovation, this milestone moment for Charnaud® stands as a symbol of the company’s ongoing commitment to protecting those who protect others.
“The Race to the Top represents endurance, resilience and the spirit of protection, as well as the value of collaboration — the same values that have guided Charnaud® for five decades – and will continue to guide us for the next five.”
says Robin Charnaud.
Fifty competitors will take on the 57-floor ascent in staggered groups, beginning at 07h00, supported by full medical oversight from Netcare and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus provided by Mines Rescue Services. A formal rooftop prize-giving will recognise the top three male and top three female competitors.
Important access notice
For safety, building security and operational flow, the Charnaud® Race to the Top is a closed event and not open to the public or spectators. Access is limited to competitors, accredited media and authorised personnel only.
Discover more at www.Charnaud.net
The inaugural Charnaud® Race to the Top challenge, being held on 6 December 2025, brings together Charnaud®’s excellence in PPE, their pioneering reputation for innovation and safety and the country’s top 50 firefighters (male and female) at one of South Africa’s most iconic landmarks – the Leonardo Hotel in Sandton Central, Gauteng, South Africa.
Developed through close coordination and collaboration between Charnaud®, The Leonardo and key members of the firefighting community, the idea for Race to the Top was initially sparked by a conversation between Robin Charnaud, international key account and technical manager and community firefighters.
As Robin shares, “Gathering on-the-ground feedback from our customers and end-users is greatly important to Charnaud® – we make it our mission to know how our PPE performs in the line of duty and, through valuable end-user insights, how to adapt and innovate to offer even more…After a chat with a Gauteng firefighter, it was revealed that he and his colleague were climbing up all 57 flights of stairs at The Leonardo to test their endurance and fitness, all while wearing full turnout gear. Needless to say, the symbiosis was obvious and The Race to the Top concept was born.”
Further enhancing this partnership with purpose, is the invaluable role of The Leonardo. Without this mixed-use high-rise tower, the race route, operational access and logistical support required to host this unique challenge within one of Africa’s most iconic buildings, would not have been possible.
“The Leonardo is incredibly proud to host this remarkable event. These brave men and women are the unsung heroes who put their lives on the line to protect our communities and it is a privilege to provide a platform that celebrates their courage, dedication and unwavering commitment to public safety,” says Adrian Landry, GM of The Leonardo.
An event of this stature commemorates Charnaud®’s 50 years in the industry, and is a way to give back to South Africa’s everyday heroes - our firefighters. As a vote of gratitude, each competitor is gifted a Charnaud® FIRE-SAFE® AIR-LITE® Bunker Suit to keep irrespective of whether they place in the challenge or not. True innovation means being ahead of the game, and Charnaud® has done precisely that by ensuring each competitor receives their FIRE-SAFE® AIR-LITE® Bunker Suit ahead of the challenge – a unique opportunity for them to enhance their endurance and fitness training before the big day. Competitors will race to the top fully equipped in the FIRE-SAFE® AIR-LITE® Bunker Suit, helmet and gloves customised with a commemorative Charnaud® 50th Anniversary emblem inside a Maltese Cross (a symbol deeply rooted in firefighter tradition) and the South African flag.
As the customised suits have begun arriving at their respective new owners across the country, competitors have shared photos, videos and enthusiastic comments on group chats and internal networks. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing pride in the suit design and anticipation for race day.
“This is the first time I will compete alongside the country’s best firefighters, needless to say I am super excited and ready for us to show our mettle at this world-class event! I train hard in preparation for my role as a firefighter and my suit needs to match that. I have never experienced a suit like this; the FIRE-SAFE® AIR-LITE® Bunker Suit offers unparalleled quality - I challenge anyone out there to experience it and say otherwise.” shares Rand Airport Firefighter, Allan Mguni.
As Charnaud® celebrates 50 years of innovation, this milestone moment for Charnaud® stands as a symbol of the company’s ongoing commitment to protecting those who protect others.
“The Race to the Top represents endurance, resilience and the spirit of protection, as well as the value of collaboration — the same values that have guided Charnaud® for five decades – and will continue to guide us for the next five.”
says Robin Charnaud.
Fifty competitors will take on the 57-floor ascent in staggered groups, beginning at 07h00, supported by full medical oversight from Netcare and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus provided by Mines Rescue Services. A formal rooftop prize-giving will recognise the top three male and top three female competitors.
Important access notice
For safety, building security and operational flow, the Charnaud® Race to the Top is a closed event and not open to the public or spectators. Access is limited to competitors, accredited media and authorised personnel only.
Discover more at www.Charnaud.net
