ROAD RUNNING
Images : Adventure Life SA , Reblex Photography & courtesy KZN Trail Running & Nontuthuko Mgabhi
be a daunting task , she also knew that before she could even start to raise funds for her cause , she needed to find the 35,000 Euros just to enter . In South African terms , that is just over R550,000 ! “ It really was a problem for me , but I had to find a way to make it happen .” This saw her launch her Go Beyond for a Child cause , with the name derived from Nontu ’ s intention to run beyond the finish line for a child from a vulnerable community .
Next she spoke to her CEO at Richards Bay Coal Terminal ( RBCT ), where she works as the General Manager in Human Resources . “ He was immediately excited and told me that this could be a CSI initiative for RBCT . He was scheduled to go into a board meeting soon after our conversation and told me he was not making any promises , but he would put the idea forward . And guess what ? The board agreed . That was a big relief . That means that any funds I raise go straight to the school , and not towards my entry fee .”
Bitten by the Bug
Nontuthuko ’ s journey to this point in her running career began with a simple invite to go for a walk in 2013 . “ A friend of mine told me to join her in the East Coast Big Walk , which is 10km , and my initial reaction was ‘ Whaaaaat ??? That ’ s faaaaaaar !’ But I did it , I really enjoyed it , and the bug bit . Ten months later I lined up for my first Comrades Marathon .”
Since then she has competed in over 50 marathons and completed 15 ultra-marathons , including five Comrades ( she boasts a best of 8:53 , which she ran in 2018 ) and two 100-milers , both at Karkloof , as well as the Ultra-Trail Cape Town 65km . She also climbed Kilimanjaro in 2018 . “ I love hiking and try to do a lot of it . All those hidden miles also help me with my running . They really make a difference ,” she says .
Still , Nontuthuko knows that to do seven marathons in seven days , with all the travel in between , will be something different , and she has been preparing for months for the challenge . “ I did around 450 kilometres a month , and December was my highest mileage month , where I did just over 500km . But I have eight hours for each marathon and I am not out there to set any records . It is about finishing and raising funds .”
Planning for Extremes
Getting back to logistics , Nontuthuko says she is well aware that the travel and the conditions at each run venue , in particular in Antarctica , will make the Challenge all the harder to tackle . Not only will she need to deal with time zone challenges , but also huge changes in temperatures . Antarctica will be at subzero temperatures , but from there it will be into the summer of Cape Town , with the average temperature hitting 23 degrees . Perth gets to 31 degrees , while the average in Dubai in February is 32 , compared to 12 in Madrid , and back up to 30 for Fortaleza . Miami averages 24 as a high .
She says the Antarctica leg was the one that had her the most worried , but she is thankful that her warm clothing needs have been met . “ Salomon are sponsoring me , which has been a huge relief , especially as finding the kit for conditions in the Antarctic is not easy . With their knowledge and expertise , that has become much easier .”
With the quick turn-around time between races and flights , Nontuthuko will also need to pack cleverly . “ I basically plan to pack each races ’ clothing into a separate plastic bag and label them . We won ’ t have time to wash clothes , because we literally finish running , head off to the airport , board the plane and fly to the next destination . We eat and sleep on the plane , and I just know that my body will take a beating , but how else can you do it ?”
Of course , on each race day itself , the organisers make sure that the participants are catered for . “ They have advised us to bring our own gels and recovery drinks and potions , but they will have a feeding station
To support Nontuthuko ’ s fundraising run in the World Marathon Challenge , you can make a donation via her account on back-a-buddy , which you can access via her website at http :// gobeyondforachild . com .
every 3km at each race . It is more the time on the feet and then hopping on to the plane straight after the run that will take a big toll . And the time zones . I have mulled over how to deal with jetlag , but I have decided I cannot change anything in that regard , and will rely on my fitness and what rest I get between each run to make sure I make it .”
Raising the Funds
At the time of writing in early January , Nontuthuko had already raised R1.3 million rand for the school – still some way off her target of R3.5 million , but she remains motivated to chase that number . “ Even if I do not get the full amount , what has already been raised will go a long way to helping the school . I will also be reaching out to construction companies , who may be interested in helping with discounts or even donations . These kids need serious help .”
Nontu understands just how critical it is for a child to get a good education , because she hails from the rural area of Mseleniin Umhlabuyalingana in Maputaland , Northern KwaZulu-Natal , and was herself subjected to conditions such as these whilst growing up . By competing the gruelling World Marathon Challenge , Nontu is hoping to make a difference in the lives of the children of the Khiphinkunzi Primary School . “ I know this will be tough , but I am looking forward to it . I will definitely dip my feet and legs in the ocean in Miami when it is all done , even though it will be winter there .”
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