Lovers of the extreme.
I don’t know how it started or how I got to this point but every year I seem to find myself involved with some crazy/stupid/ludicrous event and each passing year I expect to grow up and settle down… but that never seems to come. This year I find myself drawn to two very special events. I couldn’t decide between either, so I choose both… or both choose me. Not sure.
Anyway, this year I am excited to ride a road bike 1700km from Cape Town to Durban in 10 days, run the Comrades Marathon on the 11th day and then less then two weeks later get on my mountain bike to ride 2300km back to Cape Town to complete the there and back round trip.
THERE…
The first part is called the Unogwaja Challenge that emulates the 1933 feat of Phil Masterton-Smith who still holds the record as the youngest winner of the Comrades Marathon at age 19. A few years after his win and during the years of the depression Phil found that he couldn’t afford the train ticket to Pietermaritzburg to compete in the race that year. But such was Phil’s commitment to doing what he loved that he climbed on his bicycle and cycled the 1700km’s on rough dirt roads to make it in time for the Comrades, which he then went on to run and finish fifth. Phil’s nickname was “Unogwaja” which is Zulu for “the hare” and so each year the Unogwaja Challenge pays tribute to the spirit and determination of the man that followed his heart to achieve his goal. More information about the event can be found here (www.unogwajachallenge.com). Last year I was along as part of the media crew taking photos but this year I will be on my bicycle as one of the 12 participants spreading the Unogwaja message.
AND BACK AGAIN….
Two weeks after the Comrades is the start of the Freedom Challenge Race Across South Africa. This race has been a big part of my life for the past 9 years and this year I will look to put all of that knowledge to good use as I ride to compete with those at the sharp end of the field. It is a non-stop unsupported race along a complex unmarked route using only a map and compass. The nature of the race puts no restrictions on the rider allowing each person to dictate their own pace, allowing them to push closer to finding their own limits. Thanks to Martin Dreyer and Alex Harris’s rivalry last year the record now sits at 10 days and 23 hours and 57 minutes. For us competitors that means that we have to commit to riding 18-20 hours each day over some very testing terrain to stay in the running. With that in mind, I have decided to put my old age on hold for one more year and have dug deep to found the motivation for this years effort. The excitement is already starting to seep into my veins and I cannot wait for this adventure to begin.
GIVE BACK
A very special person who is currently in the ring on Round Two with cancer has helped me to remember that health and good fortune are never to be taken for granted, so an adventure like this would be incomplete without giving something back. This year I have committed to support one of the Comrades Amabeadibeadi charities and I want to ask you to help me to support them. The Pietermaritzburg Community Chest supports 166 fantastic projects that go a long way to helping people in the areas of social welfare, education and health. Below are some pictures from a recent tour of a few of their projects. A simple reminder to us to never take our situation for granted and a great simple way to help those who are facing monumental challenges of their own.
Durban Mental Health Society – Challenge Workshop in Sherwood: This is a facility offering sheltered employment to the mentally challenged through building bricks and doing various packaging.
AH Zulu Educare Centre, Chesterville: A creche that looks after around 100 kids.
Whizz Kids, Pinetown: A school for the seriously mentally challenged.
GET INVOLVED
I have set up a simple fund-raising profile on the Comrades page here http://www.race4charity.co.za/index.php?option=com_competitor&view=profile&Itemid=71&id=809&rid=680
Making a contribution is simple. Either SMS the words RACE 680 and your message to 42030 to donate R30 (added to your cellphone bill) or simply click on the donate button and enter your own amount via the quick and easy Credit Card process. 100% of the money goes straight to the Community Chest and will go a long way to making a difference to someones life.
Whilst the Community Chest obviously appreciates every cent that comes is, I urge you to go further than taking the easy option of SMSing to donate R30 but rather take the time to contribute your own amount as per your means.
For as long as I can remember I have always wanted my actions to inspire other to realise that there is a bigger picture going on outside of their little bubble, whether it taking pictures of those people and places, telling those stories through film or actually climbing on my bicycle and doing it. And all the while carrying through the fundamentals of the Unogwaja – wherever you go, go with your heart.
Many of you have supported all of my charity things before and your ongoing support is always appreciated, not only by me but most particularly by those that receive the benefit of your generosity at the end of the day.
Thanks again.
Andrew (or Gi – whatever suits you).
