Salt Rock first-time Comrades runner is running for safety awareness

“I will not be a victim.”

This is the message Salt Rock runner Isabeau du Preez has to share after her narrow escape from the clutches of the two men who attacked her while jogging on Chaka’s Rock Road in May.

She was training for her first Comrades Marathon at the time and, despite being very shaken by the attack, decided she would not allow it to derail her.

“I want to help give people the courage to realise the strength within themselves,” said Isabeau, who completed her first “Virtual Comrades” on June 14 wearing a face mask fashioned from the shirt torn during the attack.

Du Preez ran the full distance, clocking 14:08 in the 90km run.

While Du Preez may may feel she could have done better, she realised that her leg had still been injured.

“Running was not as easy as I thought it would be, but I kept pushing myself.”

Getting back on the road after the attack was not easy.

She arrived home from reporting the incident at the Umhlali police station, scratched and bruised, with her shirt ripped.

“I had to explain to my children what had happened. The realisation of ‘it could’ve been worse’ hit me. It was difficult, but I had a lot of support and I am so thankful for that.”

The mother of three said the days that followed left her sore and uncomfortable with the idea of running, but she would not allow herself to fall into a victim mentality.

“I had to make a mind shift. Those men left me bruised and heartbroken for what is happening in our country. But they could not take away my will to fight nor my love of running.”

Instead, she decided to make her running count.

“Running is a physical activity, but mentally you also need to be strong. I want to encourage people to get back up and fight back and move forward. Bad things can happen to you, but they should not define you.”

Addicted to running for the purpose of fitness and stress-relief, Isabeau said she had received wide support for the cause.

“I want to help give people the courage and ability to realise the strength within themselves.”

Isabeau, a marketer and teacher, moved to the North Coast from Munster on the South Coast and said she looks forward to joining one of the local running clubs.

“Running is something no one can take away from me.”

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