Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 119, June 2019 | Page 50

ADVERTORIAL MORE THAN A MARATHON Two Oceans Makes a Difference Run4Schools - Frank Steyn raises R66 000 for school shoes for Cape Flats learners Two Oceans runners outdid themselves on the run for charity front this year, raising just over R931 000 for causes of their choice. This included local manager of Run4Schools, Frank Steyn, who raised R66 000 when he ran the gruelling 56km Ultra route in school shoes! “I literally put my feet on the line, but it was worth every step – it was amazing,” says Frank, who finished the race minus the toenails on his small toes, and with a few cuts below his toes. “There were several runners who cheered me on, but feared I wouldn’t finish – and when first the 6:40 bus, and then the 7:10 bus passed me, so did I. I knew I had to stick with the 7:30 bus.” Africa’s biggest running event Frank is hoping to hand over school shoes by the start of the third school term on 9 July, when the Western Cape winter will be harshest. If you’d like to do your bit for cold kids’ feet, you can donate a pair of school shoes by dropping the shoes off at the Two Oceans Marathon office or at Northwood Primary in Woodlands, Mitchells Plain. If you’re a supplier who’d like to assist with a bulk sale and delivery, please e-mail [email protected] or [email protected]. Frank Steyn is all smiles after his incredible Ultra run in school shoes The world’s most beautiful marathon is ‘more than just a pretty face,’ helping to generate up to R672 million towards the Western Cape economy annually. This massive economic contribution excludes the tens of millions of Rands in media coverage, local and international, that is measured as Two Oceans Marathon-related each year. This year, approximately R41 million in print, online, radio and television coverage was measured, compared to about R20 million for the same three-month period leading up to the event last year, proving that the appetite for Two Oceans news continues to increase. And this was in spite of the lack of a television broadcast this year, and with streaming figures and media values not yet factored in. The R672 million in socio-economic impact also comes along with at least 3 000 temporary jobs created by the event annually, and a head count of 100 000 visitors who pass through the doors of Cape Town International Airport during the Easter weekend. Not forgetting TOMI, the Two Oceans Marathon Initiative, which saw the event partner with 80 charities and four beneficiaries this year to raise millions to empower those less fortunate. Green desks presented to Ukhanyo Primary School On 24 May, Two Oceans Marathon (TOM) presented over 60 ‘green desks’ to learners at Ukhanyo Primary School in Masiphumelele. The desks were manufactured from non-organic event waste collected during the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon over the past two years as part of the #GoGreen campaign, a Wildlands and Old Mutual initiative. A total of 600 desks will be delivered to learners across South Africa. TOM also used the occasion to raise green awareness amongst the learners, and as part of ongoing efforts to uplift the community, a Kids’ Athletics Training Programme was presented afterwards by Western Province Athletics and TOM. 50 ISSUE 119 JUNE 2019 / www.modernathlete.co.za TOM Board member Thozama Koli with delighted Ukhanyo Primary learners