56 Sunny miles for marrow

“Some days I run to work from Groutville all the way to Zimbali. It is about 25 kilometres, so it is not too far.”
Mfanafuthi Manhique is a 33-year-old Groutville resident who works as a cleaner at Zimbali Resorts. While most people would not miss a wink of sleep, he runs in the dark to make it to work on time.
The man is humble yet passionate about his running. The 2014 Comrades marathon will be his 10th race, earning him the coveted green number.
It is also fitting that in this, his 10th year, he is raising funds for the Sunflower Fund, which supports the South African Bone Marrow Registry. Patients living with leukaemia and other life-threating blood disorders depend on the registry for donors.
The Miles for Marrow campaign is an initiative which asks sponsors to donate money for every mile that the competitor runs. Manhique will be running the Comrades, which is 56 miles or 90 kilometres.
“The Sunflower Fund’s Miles4Marrow campaign has proved to be a highly successful fundraising project as the athletes enjoy doing what they love for a good cause and the public is happy to support those doing something so physically challenging,” said Sunflower Fund’s Stephanie Berry.
Manhique started running in 1998 while he was still at school, where he enjoyed running 5km and cross country events.
From there he continued his love affair with the road and became a development runner in 2004. He is currently a member of the Dolphin Coast Striders running club.
Last year he came second in the 10km race at the Dube King Shaka Trail Run and the Queen Nandi Night Run. Speaking about the night run he said “I was ahead until we had to run through a forest and I did not know which way to go. I waited for the next runner and followed him.”
These experiences are what keep his feet moving and despite his full time job, he still has the ambition to run professionally.
“My only obstacle is that I do not have a sponsor, so I must work and train. Running in competitions is also expensive. I remember when entries were cheap, now we pay a lot just to run in a race.”
Nevertheless, Manhique describes how races like the Comrades keep people competing year after year.
“The Comrades is like a drug, but the good kind and it keeps you fit.”
This year is the down-run of the Comrades which Manhique prefers. He will be aiming for a finish under seven hours to achieve a silver medal. The race will also be his last Comrades as he wants to focus on marathons.
The Sunflower Fund is appealing for sponsors to get behind Manhique. Donors can sponsor any amount for each mile that he runs.
“I am happy to be running for the Sunflower Fund. It is great that they are helping people who really need it.”
Deposits can be made to the following account. For more information on the campaign or how you can get involved, please contact Allison Naidoo on 079 881 3056 or allison@sunflowerfund.org.za

Bank Account Name: The Sunflower Fund
Bank: ABSA Bank
Account No.: 4051834719
Branch: Tokai
Branch Code: 632005
Reference: DBNM4M46 and (name of individual/ company)