Comrades runner donates blankets
“I started off from the starting line with six blankets. Just after 10km into the race I gave the first blanket to a child next to the road and the sixth (of the first bundle) blanket I gave just after 20km into the race."
IODIEN Rensburg, a resident of Liefde en Vrede, successfully completed the 2017 Comrades Marathon on Sunday, June 4.
It was his second race. During his 2016 Comrades Marathon, he handed out seven blankets that he ran with. This year he took 12 blankets to hand out.
“I started off from the starting line with six blankets. Just after 10km into the race I gave the first blanket to a child next to the road and the sixth blanket (of the first bundle) I gave away just after 20km into the race.
“I received the second bundle of six blankets after halfway (seconded by Discovery Vitality). This bundle I handed out over a shorter distance as time was not on my side by then. Next year I will have to think of another strategy as it took too much of my time to untie the blankets and have a picture taken,” said Iodien.
“Next year I may increase the number of blankets to 15, if I get people to second me at two places along the Comrades route,” he added.
When asked what drove him to do this, he said, “One of the most precious gifts God gave us is the happy heart of a child, expressed on his or her face.”
For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. You can also email our offices on cvdwalt@caxton.co.za, juliem@caxton.co.za or luckyt@caxton.co.za
Add us on WhatsApp today! Alberton Record: 060 644 5264 Comaro Chronicle: 079 427 8074 and Southern Courier: 079 404 5789.
