PART 1:
THE ROPE RUNNER
BEHIND THE OPTIC YELLOW & BLACK
YOUR MONTHLY COLUMN WITH THE ROPE RUNNER
Some athletes run for medals. Some run for time. Marissa runs for people who are running out of options.
It’ s a random Wednesday afternoon, and I have just received the news.
“ Marissa we are happy to inform you that the CMA( Comrades Marathon Association) would like to welcome you back to Rope Run Comrades 2026.
Take me back one year: I am about to embark on something no human on earth has ever attempted. Simultaneously running and skipping a full marathon – The Balwin Cape Peninsula Marathon 2025.
Why has no one done it before? I was about to find out. Agony, wind, exhaustion, blood blisters, wind, stomach cramps, tears, wind, pain! Make it stop! And then, boom! Before I knew it, it was over. I flipping did it! I have just made history. Yes, agonising, but absolutely worth it! The impossible has just been‘ tick-boxed’ By far the toughest challenge( including childbirth, TTOM & Comrades’ 25) I’ ve ever done, both physically and mentally.( Little do people know it also ended me up in hospital the next day)
The start of my 2025 journey had just kicked off! Who knew a year later I’ d be planning to Rope Run on the international stage?
But Marissa, what is the point? Why, why, oh why would you do that to yourself? Great question. In fact, that’ s the right question. Why?
Imagine a life where death would be a kinder sentence to your child than this sort of anguish. Imagine being snatched, sold off, shipped in a container to some foreign country, being exploited, used, raped, over and over and over again, and then have your organs sold off to the wealthiest bidder. That, my dear reader, is the reality of 50 million people around the world every year. This is the fight against human trafficking.
THAT IS WHY I ROPE RUN.
Ok, but – surely you’ ve done enough! You must’ ve done all you could do? Why continue? Another great question.
Have I though? Have I done all I can do? That’ s an affirmative“ NO”! No yet.
Rope Running has not only become a new sport, birthed from the loins of KZN, but it has also become a symbol of hope, inspiration and education, to both child and adult. I get to use what is in my hand to help create awareness and protect lives. I sum it up as the mandate placed on my shoulders for a time such as this.
In saying that, please don’ t pre-disqualify yourself from this conversation. If you had something in your hand that could make someone’ s life a little better, brighter, to love the unlovable or perhaps to protect a life, would you not jump at the opportunity?
Would you not want it done for you?
PART 2- COMING IN YOUR NEXT EDITION
To donate to this life-changing cause
https:// donorbox. org / the-rope-runner
www. donorbox. org
www. modernathlete. co. za 33