Community support shines as Chad Markgraaf achieves monumental 100-Marathon milestone
Chad Markgraaf's incredible journey saw him complete an unprecedented challenge of running 100 marathons in 100 days to support his friend Kyle Dally, which he completed on October 8. It was marked by overwhelming community support in the final leg of their epic 4 220km trek.
Chad Markgraaf completed an extraordinary feat by running 100 marathons in 100 days to support his friend Kyle Dally, who is battling stage four skin cancer.
This monumental achievement reached its climax on October 8 at Alberton Rugby Club.
The journey was not one travelled alone. Chad expressed profound gratitude for the overwhelming support he and his fellow runners received on this momentous day. From the gracious hosting provided by Alberton Rugby to the invaluable assistance of Fox Security, who escorted the runners through the final five kilometres of their epic 4220km, the sense of community was palpable.
According to Chad, as he approached the finish line, a surreal wave of emotion washed over him.
“Throughout this incredible journey, I purposefully avoided focusing on the distant finish line, preferring to enjoy every step of the way. When I crossed the finish line, I was humbled by the realisation of the team effort that had brought me to this point. I want to thank everyone who helped make this a reality, no matter how small their contribution was.
“I set out on this extraordinary journey with two goals in mind. Not only did I want to push my physical limits, but I also wanted to raise money for my dear friend Kyle. This endeavour produced nothing short of astounding results. Just under R200 000 was raised thanks to the generosity of countless individuals, providing Kyle with a lifeline of support,” said Chad.
For Chad, at the heart of his journey lies an unwavering faith in God and a commitment to humility.
“I set out to demonstrate what could be achieved with a steadfast belief in a higher power and a deep sense of humility. Over the course of these 100 days, my body adapted remarkably to the gruelling demands of continuous running. While there were undoubtedly difficult days and moments of discomfort, the thought of giving up never crossed my mind.
“I attribute my enduring strength, both physical and mental, to a higher power, and I gratefully bestow all glory to God for this monumental achievement,” said Chad.
