Running 100km for a great cause

A lot of people came out of the national lockdown a lot less fit and energetic than when they went in. Months without leaving their homes or being able to do anything in public created a new generation of couch potatoes.

For years, Johan van Tonder has been known as one of Roodepoort’s most active community members. By 2018, Johan had run an astounding 18 Comrades Marathons and had broken the world record for the longest distance run on a treadmill in 12 hours. Johan ran 163km in a little less than 11 hours, breaking the world record by 14km. One year later, the Help24 employee broke another world record by running 100km on a treadmill in six hours, eight minutes and 23 seconds.

In the past, Johan has also attempted to break world records to raise money for local charities, and this year, the non-profit organisation (NPO) he has chosen to support is the Cradle of Hope.

The long-distance runner will be setting up his treadmill at the Hennie’s Restaurant in Monument, Krugersdorp on 5 December and attempting to break his own world record for the fastest time to run 100km on a treadmill.

Johan trained throughout lockdown and is confident that he will be able to break the record, so he is asking for support and donations from the West Rand community to help him raise as much money as possible for Cradle of Hope. “I think gender-based violence (GBV) is being neglected a lot, and the Cradle of Hope does amazing work to help abused women and children, which is why I would like to support them,” said Johan.

Unfortunately, the pandemic has meant that Johan could not arrange for the Guinness World Record team to be at the attempt, but he will be videoing the entire run. He will have a memory stick in the treadmill and use lap counters to prove that he can break the record.

If you would like to help Johan raise money for Cradle of Hope, go through to Hennie’s at any time from 7am to watch the amazing athlete break another record, and make a donation while you are there.

“I would like to thank my amazing team, especially the event coordinator, Tanya Meredith. I also want to say a huge thank you to Chris Diedriks and Thinus Creemer from Help24 for allowing me extra time to train when we had quieter moments at work, and a big thank you to my Run Zone coach, Graham Block, and Dwayne Meredith from Fitness Apparel,” concluded Johan.

If you would like to support Johan or make a donation towards the fundraiser, go through to the restaurant and show your support, or contact Tanya on 084 649 8581 to find out how you can get involved or donate.