BEYOND MY IMPOSSIBLE
11 Women Conquer the Marathon
The marathon space in running has traditionally seen more men than women participating – the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is a prime example of this with a field of 63 % men to 37 % women in 2022 , and similar figures of 62 % and 38 % the previous year . For that reason , adidas , as apparel sponsor for the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon , launched a campaign ahead of the 2022 race to help more women step up to the marathon distance , by taking 11 women through a training programme to get them through their first-ever marathon .
EXPERT GUIDANCE
Starting in August , the 11 women were placed in the capable hands of coach Kathleen Shuttleworth , who has guided numerous athletes to achieving provincial and national medals in track , cross country and biathlon . Her task was simple : Get all 11 to the finish line of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon .
All of these women had different backgrounds and stories , from fertility issues , growing up in gangriddled areas , being a single mother , being born deaf , to surviving mental health issues . The main passion that brought the group together , however , was running , and it was through the journey of training that they became a close-knit group , developing a bond that is only possible on a journey like this .
And so , when race day arrived on the 16th of October , all 11 set off in seeding group C , with one goal in mind , to cross the finish line , and all 11 did just that ! Shaakirah Jaftha clocked a sub-4-hour for her maiden marathon , while Kay Abrahams came close to doing likewise , coming in at 4:08 . Yentle Arendse , Ncebakazi Dyani and Tracey Abrahamse were all in under 5:20 , and Zoe just managed a sub-5:30 with 53 seconds to spare . Leatitia Gradwell and Lenise Swanson both managed a sub-6-hour marathon , while Jana Steyn and Melissa Abrahams both managed to come in just before 6:20 . Ashleigh Bredeveldt was the last lady in , missing a sub-6:30 by 29 seconds .
EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE
A marathon is an emotional journey , with many ups and downs , and it was no different for these 11 , as could be seen in their post-race comments about the experience .
KAZI DYANI : “ The programme has been holistically transformational for me , It has changed my outlook on life , and that I can surely achieve anything I set my mind to , firmly believing in the adidas slogan , Impossible Is Nothing . I still cry about everything we were able to achieve . It has been amazing . I ’ m even more excited about life .”
YENTLE ARENDSE : “ I feel inspired to do all the things that I have been putting off . This campaign just reignited my passion for pursuing my other life-long dreams , and I have the confidence now to take on challenges that I thought were impossible for me to do .”
JANA STEYN : “ I am still in shock that I actually managed to complete the marathon . It was honestly one of the hardest things mentally that I ’ ve ever done , and I am just so proud of myself for doing it .”
ZOE BROWN : “ This has been a life-changing and challenging journey . Never in my wildest dreams did I think 2022 would be the year I do a marathon , and be ready in 14 weeks ! Thank you adidas , thank you Coach Kathleen , and thank you to the 10 brave sisters who showed me that I can go # BeyondMyImpossible .”
SHAAKIRAH JAFTHA : “ The person who started the race is no longer there ! The moment I crossed that finish line , I became the person who I was destined to be , the person who ’ s capable of so much more , and I wholeheartedly believe that ! Every inch of doubt I had in myself I left on the course . The race was not only physically challenging , but mentally as well . I ran with my heart , I prayed throughout the run , and I can ’ t wait to go back , to show that course how much I have grown . I had an amazing team who supported me , and I will forever be grateful for this journey and the opportunity to go Beyond My Impossible .”
LEATITIA GRADWELL : “ Running this marathon has taught me to keep moving forward one
step at a time , especially in the most emotional and difficult moments of my life , not just in the race . It has also made my faith in Christ stronger . I have proved to myself that I am an overcomer , and I can accomplish anything I put my mind to . My journey does not end here … I am going to teach others what it takes to overcome anxiety . I feel like a winner ! This is by far one of my biggest achievements , and it has shown me what the support of other women can do for you – all we need is that boost . I would love to be that woman for other women across the globe , and give them that boost that I got on this journey , to show them that Impossible Is Nothing . This journey taught me so much and I am humbled and grateful to the adidas team for giving me this life-changing opportunity .”
MELISSA ABRAHAMS : “ My journey over the 14 weeks has far exceeded my expectations . Not only
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