Club chairperson preps for 121km at virtual Comrades Marathon
'It’s going to take a lot of courage but you have to lead by example. If I’m not running, I can’t be leading the running club.'
Chairperson of the Panorama Running Club, Andrew Morrison-Young is gearing up to run 90 kilometres plus an additional 30 kilometres during the 2021 virtual Comrades Marathon on Sunday, 13 June.
This is his fourth Comrades Marathon, but it is the first time he will be running 121 kilometres in the race, a feat he says makes him a little nervous but he is more than prepared for the road. “The 100 kilometres is for the centenary of Comrades, and the 21km is from the year it started, 1921. I am running to raise money for two charities – Rise Against Hunger, and Bible Society. So far the preparation and planning have been good, but I probably will get nervous on Friday or Saturday,” he admitted.
The 53-year-old said he put out a challenge to his company to match whatever he raises, rand for rand. He hopes to raise R10 000 for Rise Against Hunger, and R5 000 for the Bible Society. “Rise Against Hunger is a company charity, and Bible Society is just very close to me,” he said.
Andrew will be joined by fellow Panorama Club runner, Jolene Moodley, and the two will run 22km around the Pirates Club until they have completed their milestone. Andrew said he started a winter challenge with his fellow runners in June last year, not only to keep active amid the pandemic, but also to run a marathon a month. “If I am not running, I can’t lead the running club. You have to lead by example,” he enthused. “Running is a lifestyle. I live to run, I don’t run to live.” He admitted that with several races being cancelled due to the pandemic, running has become his best stress-reliever.
The avid runner participated in his first Comrades marathon in 2016, and said he made it by 1 minute and 2 second. “I just made it.” He admitted that the first Comrades is always the most memorable, and believes that you should own your own running. “Don’t wait for other people to motivate you. Whatever distance you do, it’s always going to be hard,” he added.
He admitted that Sunday’s race would require a lot of courage and mental strength to push through. “Ninety kilometres is a long run and it will take anything from 11 to 12 hours on a comfortable pace. To even do another loop after that … it is going to take a lot.”
Andrew said he remained inspired by seeing other people older than he is still running, not letting aging get in the way. Every passionate runner will tell you that they have a mantra that keeps them going when the road has really taken its toll on them, and Andrew said his is, “Nothing changes if nothing changes”. This basically means that things will not change unless you do.
To donate to Andrew’s causes, click here:
Rise Against Hunger and Bible Society
