Lizette’s longest day run is her personal best

ON Saturday, Run Walk For Life (RWFL) members took part in three different events.

Warren Gibson and team took on the cross-country where all of them did very well.

This is not an easy event to participate in. A couple of members joined different teams to compete in the muddy, dirty warriors run. They claimed to have had fun.

Last but definitely not least, Lizette Botha started the second leg of the triple challenge (longest day) on Saturday morning at 7am at Collegians Club in Pietermaritzburg. It started out as a crispy morning but turned out a glorious day, with a spot of rain in the morning.

She was the leading woman from the second hour right to the end, taking first woman, also fifth overall and breaking her own personal best distance to clock 101km, 393m – 10km ahead of the second woman Molly Parasaraman who did 91km. Lizette is a remarkable woman.

She is running to raise funds for Emma, an 18-month-old baby with a cancerous brain tumour. Thus far, the team has raised about R25,000 and will continue to fundraise. For more information, call Jan Botha on 082-290-4025. The team comprises Sure Herbst (Comrades), Tracey Hair (Comrades), Val Opperman (Comrades) and Lizette Botha (Comrades, longest day). Lizette thanks all who have donated thus far.

She will continue raising funds by running the 100 Miler (161km) on 19 and 20 September. This 24-hour circuit race in Pietermaritzburg will see her only take an hour’s rest from Maritzburg to Amanzimtoti, where she will complete her quest by doing about 10 hours and a distance of about 70km in the Cansa Relay at Kingsway High School. RWFL urges companies, families and schools to support Lizette by pledging money towards this cause. Sponsor her per km or make a donation.

RWFL Amanzimtoti is behind her 100%. For more information call Jan on 082-290-4025.

RWFL challenges any person to start walking with the goal of being able to complete a 10km race within or after a few months of training.

It is a pleasure to see how many athletes turn up for training despite the cold weather. RWFL training days are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at Amanzimtoti High School from 5pm to 6pm.

Saturday, 20 September is the new date for the CANSA Relay which starts at 5pm and goes through the night to Sunday at 5am. RWFL has five teams thus far, with 10 members per team. To join in the challenge, call Jan Botha to sign up for this fun event to honour those living with, who have died of or are survivors of cancer.

RWFL challenges all schools, sports clubs, companies, school teams and families to put teams together. Call Jan for details.

This weekend’s races/training runs:

Saturday is the first 5km Parkrun at Toti main beach. Ensure you register on the website, which is free. Bruce Fordyce will be there to run the first one with everyone. It starts at 8am.

On Saturday at 5.30am, there is a 15km long run from Amanzimtoti High School.

For more RWFL details, call Jan.