Robyn achieves Comrades PB for little leukemia sufferer

Zishan Reddy’s mom, Goolshun, offered words of encouragement that kept Robyn Daniel going when the going got tough on the Comrades Marathon route on June 8.

Daniel dedicated her eighth ultimate human race to Zishan, a Grade Three learner at Ashton International College, who is battling leukemia for the second time.

Although it was a tough day, she was running with purpose and dug deep to stay motivated. She ultimately completed the 89.98km race with a down run personal best time of 09:53:23, earning her third Robert Mtshali medal.

“It was a tough day — probably the toughest of the eight and three-quarters Comrades I’ve done. (That three-quarter run was when I was pregnant with Tyler and had to stop at 75km.) I felt nauseous from 30km but fortunately managed to find some medication along the way and from family supporting me on the route,” she said.

“I had written Zishan’s name on my left hand, so any time I looked at my watch I was reminded of him and my purpose for this year’s run.

“I don’t normally run with my phone, but I did this year and kept in contact with his mom for most of the run. Her words of encouragement kept me going when I was in the ‘dark place’.

“When I finished and I saw my husband, I put my head on his shoulder and cried. I cried because I was so grateful to be done. I cried because a little warrior named Zishan gave me that extra push and helped me get a PB for the down run.

“I cried because this was the first year I ran the Comrades without my late uncle’s support along the way. It was a deeply emotional day, and I felt incredibly grateful to have completed the race that so many are not able to run.

“When I gave Zishan my medal, I asked him if he’d run Comrades with me when he’s old enough and earn his own medal. He said, ‘Maybe’ — I’m going to hold him to that.”

Zishan needs a stem cell donor. To help, register on https://www.dkms-africa.org.

Through Rainbows and Smiles, Robyn created a crowdfunding campaign where all donations will go to bone marrow research.

To help, go to https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/robyns-2025-comrades-for-rainbows-and-smiles

Also Read: It would mean the world to Zishan if he gets a stem cell donor

Also Read: Northerns runner dedicates her eighth Comrades to child battling leukaemia