ROAD RUNNING
Edward Darvall
My wife Kat and I started running two years ago , building ourselves up to doing half marathons . We didn ’ t really consider any distance longer at the time . In 2020 , Kat was invited to participate in the Akanani Charity Run and did extremely well . She invited me to join in 2021 – it will be fun , she said . Well , it was fun – hard fun – but worth it . In preparation , we did our first full marathon and I managed to do my first ultramarathon on the first day of the run . We completed 157km in four days .
Being part of Akanani is humbling , and the Charity Run taught me a great life experience , that one can achieve much more than you ever thought you could . Assisting with fundraising for much-needed equipment and the uplifting of communities has been an eye-opener . I also had the pleasure of handing over a pair of running shoes to the lucky draw winner – what a wonderful experience . I made a new friend , and we exchange our running experiences on a regular basis . I am honoured to be associated with the Akanani Sports Foundation .
Kat and Edward Darvall
Kat Darvall
Linda and Jeffrey with their medals
Running in the 2020 Akanani Charity Run was an absolute revelation . I had never even run a full marathon before , but I was driven to participate because I believed it was great a cause . My first day , I managed 50km , and went on to complete 119km in three days – absolutely mind-blowing ! It was the hardest thing I ’ d ever done and took me way outside my comfort zone , and anything I ’ d believed possible , since I was told some years ago that I would never be able to run .
I ’ ve had seven procedures on my left knee after I tore my anterior cruciate ligament whilst playing hockey in high school . An unsuccessful repair , reconstruction and graft with numerous keyhole surgeries left me with a very unstable knee , which dislocated almost daily . Even walking was painful .
At the beginning of 2019 we relocated from Durban to Cape Town , and as a means to get to know my new surroundings and combat depression , I started jogging around . ( As I said , walking was painful .) Before long , I realised that my knee no longer dislocated , I lost 16kg , and my quality of life improved hugely . Soon my husband , Edward , joined me , and we entered 10 , 15 and 21,1km races . On 31 December 2019 , we ran 31km , completing it painfully , lamppost by lamppost !
Keshnie Mahomed
There are runners , and then there are funners . I ’ m definitely a funner ... If it ain ’ t fun , I won ’ t run ! So , going into the Charity Run , my role was clear : I was the team cheerleader . Unfortunately , I couldn ’ t find pom poms or a tutu in time , so lo and behold , when I got to Mooi River , I had to ‘ work ,’ so I decided I would just walk .
For as long as the last runner stayed on the road , I would keep walking . Head down , one foot in front of the other , I pressed on . It ’ s no easy feat walking a marathon , but that ’ s what I did … two days in a row ! Then the third day was a welcome relief , due to the weather and the technical challenges , resulting in me walking only a half marathon .
On the Saturday morning , whilst the rest of the team were starting to feel tired from all their efforts , I was still fresh and feeling strong . I started the day expecting to complete another marathon distance walk , but somewhere along the route , I found my mojo again , and my body just wanted to run . Carefully finding a pain-free footfall , I began running ... Oh man , the feeling of the wind in your face , the sound of your feet on the tar , that feeling of pure exhilaration . It was amazing , and before I knew it , I had completed my first full 50km run !
Looking back at all the challenges we faced over the four days , one could ask why do we do it ? Because it ’ s hard . Because it requires you to push through pain . Because it forces you to finish what you started . Because it liberates you . And of course , we do it for the children . The nameless faces that can ’ t be shared on social media . The children scarred by abuse and abandonment .
Throughout lockdown we continued to run , even completing a half marathon in our tiny garden ( 192 circuits ). Post lockdown , most of our training has been with adidas Runners , and we ’ ve had to learn a lot about how to manage and prevent injuries – as one does when one starts running in your 50s .
Edward and I both love to champion causes , and it was a natural progression that he would join me this year and help with raising money for the Bobbi Bear Foundation and Nuwehoop Centre for the Deaf . It was also the most amazing experience being able to run together – when we completed 54km on day one , Edward ’ s furthest distance , we knew most of our limits are in our minds . Day two of 46km brought up the 100km , but although the countryside and running with the cows was awesome , the hills were something else altogether ! Nevertheless , we literally took time to stop and smell the roses - beautiful pink wild roses growing by the side of the road .
Day three with delayed start , mist , rain and cold wind was a real test , and we only managed 23km . By day four we had signs of flu , but still managed to complete 34km in ice cold winds and on rolling hills . I don ’ t think I ’ ll ever complain about hills again . Through it all , I loved every difficult moment , and I ’ m so proud to be a part of this initiative , trying in some small way to assist those less privileged than myself .
Without the work done by the Bobbi Bear Foundation , these kids would never have a hope for a future . Yes , the runs were hard , but it is nothing compared to the hardship faced by these innocent victims , and that ’ s why I kept walking . Because I knew that every kilometre meant one more child would have a warm bed to sleep in and a full belly for at least one more night .
We all have something to give , be it our time , talent or treasure . I gave my time and talent … would you give your treasure ?
Keshnie Mahomed
Images : Courtesy Haroon Emam
44 ISSUE 148 JANUARY 2021 | www . modernathlete . co . za