Morais returns from more than 300km adventure
“The biggest issue while running was water, the physical side of it and the distances were not a problem,”
Stephan Lehman
Avid long-distance runner and Dowerglen resident Nuno Morais returned to Edenvale after an injury forced him to postpone his run to Cape Town.
On August 20 Morais set off on a solo run from Johannesburg to Cape Town which would have seen him cover 1 500km.
Despite having to return home, Morais has remained positive and is as enthusiastic as ever, and will later in the year tackle the run again.
The adventure saw him cover a distance of 315km in three days.
“I am by no means disappointed or downbeat.
“I gave it all that I could this time around and will be back to do many more Making A Difference (MAD) things,”said Morais.
Morais said just deciding to do the journey was a success for him which led to a great adventure.
Earlier this year, Morais took up long-distance running after changing his life around last year.
In June before he took on the journey, Morais told the NEWS he had several health issues.
Some of the projects he has done include:
• A Winter Warm-up Drive to create awareness about people less fortunate.
• A run to raise funds for Edenvale High teacher Phillip Nel’s wheelchair and wheelchair hoist.
• A run in honour of Nelson Mandela on Mandela Day.
“I enjoy giving back wherever I can, and feel happy when I can help people.”
On his first day while running along the highway, in the direction of Alberton, Morais said he was blinded by a vehicle’s headlight and twisted his ankle.
“My ankle wasn’t too sore, so I continued to run and tried not to put too much pressure on it.”
Morais’ journey took him from Edenvale to Kliprivier, Vanderbijlpark, Parys, Vredefort, Kroonstad, Ventersburg and Winburg.
While staying the night in Winburg, Morais decided to stop the journey.
“My glute was on fire and the tendons on my shins felt like elastic bands wanting to snap.”
From Winburg Morais would have had to travel 112 km to reach Bloemfontein.
After speaking to some people, he learnt there was very little in terms of towns and shops along that stretch.
“The biggest issue while running was water; the physical side of it, and the distances were not a problem,” said Morais
“You need water, but you cannot carry too much.”
Morais said even if he had all the water in the world, he would have had to walk the distance to Bloemfontein because of the injuries.
“It would have taken me close to 24 hours, but I think I could have gone the distance, but not without water.”
Although Morais did not go the full distance, he said the journey was an extremely memorable adventure.
“I met some amazing an interesting people along the way, and was able to share my story with them and hear theirs,” said Morais.
Since he abandoned his journey, and returned home due to injury, Morais said he has received several messages from the community explaining how he had inspired them.
Later this year Morais is set to hit the road to Cape Town, this time with a support vehicle to carry additional water.
The good news, though, is that Nel’s wheelchair and wheelchair hoist have been purchased.
He said Nel was waiting for the hoist to be delivered.
