East man with muscle disorder takes aim at world record
Morné Basson will run 72 consecutive marathons in four different cities in the country.
A man living with motor neuron disease will smash a Guinness World record by running 72 consecutive marathons for a good cause.
Morné Basson, aka ‘treadmill guy’, aims to raise the awareness of motor neuron disease.
Motor Neuron Disease occurs when specialist nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord don’t function properly, leading to muscle weakness that eventually affects the ability to breathe.
Morné’s journey to the world record started at Planet Fitness Olympus on 15 July.
From there he has been adventuring every day at a different planet fitness gyms in Pretoria, Johannesburg, KwaZulu-Natal and Cape Town and will finally make it back to Olympus on the 24th of September.
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The current record is 52 consecutive half-marathon.
“There’s very little government support for those suffering from MND – and the private sector is not faring much better. Life and disability coverage is falling short in supporting patients and their families.
“That’s why it is so important to get the message out there, to inform and educate and drive people to find out more about the disease,” said Basson.
Basson is known for taking part in crazy challenges to shine a spotlight on the degenerative illness.
Morné first shot to prominence when he became the first man to complete an ultra-marathon at sea.
Working on a luxury cruise liner at the time, he desperately wanted to compete in the 2015 Comrades Marathon, but being far from his home country, he had to get creative.
After getting the Comrades organisers on board, he completed the full 90 kilometres race on a treadmill aboard the ship on the same day as the event.
“I never see problems, only opportunities,” he said.
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And even though there is currently no cure for MND, he is encouraging everyone, not just those who have been diagnosed, to live life with absolutely no regrets.
“I’ve experienced my fair share of heartache. It might sound like a cliché, but life really is too short to not live every day in full.”
Members of the community are encouraged to show their support and take a shot at keeping up with Morné when he visits their area.
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