Athletes hit Bedfordview streets to help raise funds for CHOCH

To raise funds for Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa (CHOC), athletes took to the streets of Bedfordview in a 24-hour mini-marathon.

Held over April 27 and 28, the Spartan Baby Badass Ultra (SBBU) was hosted at the Italian Club.

Established three years ago by John Sikiotis and Rob Riccardi, the fundraiser has become an annual event for caring community members who want to make a difference in the lives of others.

Jayde ‘Daisy’ Fouche, the national fundraiser for CHOC, said athletes were given the choice to run 100km or 160 miles (161km).

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Although there were 24 hours to complete this distance, athletes needed to complete a specified distance each hour 4.165km (if running 100km) or 6.6 (if running 100 miles).

Fouche said if an athlete could not complete the distance in the specified hour they were cut from the event.

Besides testing the endurance of athletes cognitive tests were also conducted with the assistance of a psychologist.

Fouche said during the event runners were being tested to determine the effect of fatigue on mental capacity.

“This year we have to raise R500 000 through the event. Through fundraising initiatives like this one and campaigns, CHOC raised R6.6m last year. We hope to better that and raise at least R7m in 2024.”.

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With over 50 runners on the road, Fouche said the event has grown from strength to strength since it started.

She said it had inspired other communities, such as students in Cape Town’s Sea Point to raise funds on the same weekend.
Besides thanking the runners for their dedication to CHOC, Fouche lauded the volunteers who had given their time.