Mad2Run runners tackle gruesome 1 500km run from JHB to CPT for education

Mad2Run local runners have completed their part of an 8-day 24-hour relay run from Johannesburg to Cape Town which saw 44 runners tackle a gruesome 1 500km run in grueling conditions.

North Coast residents Lauren Abdo, Linda Rudolph, Simone Barrett, Willa van der Heever, Daniel de Kretser, Jayme Forget and Kyle van der Heever took on the 24-hour relay, sectioned into crews of 6, running some 80kms per shift, with each runner expected to cover a minimum of 20kms per day, totalling 140kms in the week.

The race ran from October 8 to 15 and serves as a fundraiser for scholars through the MAD Leadership Foundation. Our local runners collectively ran 1 581kms, of which Simone did the most at 300kms.

The goal was to raise some R2-million, however exact figures of how much was raised this year are to be released at the end of November as pledges continue to pour in.

Weighing in on their part in the race, Ballito residents Simone Barrett and Lauren Abdo agreed the run was an awesome experience even though they lost track of their times.

“From my experience it was an unbelievable time. I have even more love of our beautiful country and admiration for our diversity in people,” said Simone.

She said she was also able to make some great friends along the way as they all grew through the tough moments. And tough moments there were, with Lauren picking up a midnight shift run through Sutherland.

“It had to be the worst conditions I have ever had to run in during my 20 years as a runner,” she said, adding that they at times faced wind gusts of up to 120kms per hour!

Conditions at one stage were so gruesome that riders in the cycling division had to be pulled off.

On other days, teams faced temperatures of up to 39 degrees Celsius, with nighttime temperatures dropping as low as 6 degrees Celsius.

“I was told that the Sutherland shift was the most beautiful to have,” laughed Lauren, who had hoped to be greeted by a starry night.

“We ran day and night, there were always a pair of feet on the road,” she said.

Simone said they ran mostly on tired legs and little sleep as they forged ahead.

“But it all added to the novel experience of the run and hammered home even more the true reason for our crazy quest.”

For breaking news follow The North Coast Courier on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.