Edleen man (43) has moooo-ves for cancer at Cape Town Marathon
'One day of sore legs is a drop in the ocean compared to what children with cancer have to go through every day,' the runner said.
Charl Whitaker (43) from Edleen is not only a top athlete but also one who cares. On September 23 he completed the Cape Town Marathon in four hours, 19 minutes and 31 seconds. He was also a pacer for those hoping to complete the race in four hours and twenty minutes.
He conquered the race in aid of the Childhood Cancer Foundation of South Africa (CHOC).
On the day Whitaker wasn’t seen in his usual running gear but dressed as a cow called Bully Beef.
“During the last 10km my legs were in pain but one day of sore legs is a drop in the ocean compared to what children with cancer have to go through every day,” Whitaker told Express.
Despite a windy second half, the runner added that the race was beautiful with warm weather.
Whitaker was well prepared for the giant task. Prior to the race, he got up at 4am each morning to run between eight and 15km. On weekends he completed up to 42km.
He is also no stranger to long distance running. He has 12 Comrades Marathons to his name, two of which he also ran for CHOC.
If you watched the marathon on television, you may have seen this kind-hearted runner. He was the one shouting “who let the cows out?” with the runners behind him answering “moo, moo, moo.”
To donate to Whitaker’s cause, residents can visit https://goo.gl/F8XjD5. He hopes to raise R6 500 by the end of September, and the amount currently stands on R1 700.
Whitaker wasn’t the only local runner who completed the marathon. Other finishers included Thabo Hlako (03:10:58), Karen Coertse (04:01:27), Selma van der Merwe (04:03:09), Bernice de Witt (04:47:13) and Corné de Witt (04:48:13).
