133 days, 133 half-marathons

GEORGE NEWS - Setting a world record by running 133 half-marathons in 133 days is not Henry Cock's only mission.

Many people struggle with mental health issues, and he wants to spread the message that there is help out there.

Cock, a Johannesburg businessman, ran his 79th 21,5km in George from the Garden Route Dam to the Elvis Brew Padstal near George Airport on Heritage Day, Friday 24 September.

He told George Herald that he was feeling very strong physically. "Mentally, each day is a bit different, I have good and bad days. It is lekker though, the support has been good, and it is great when I have people on my run because they always lift my spirits."

He aims to raise at least R4-million for the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag). More than R700 000 has been collected so far.

Cock started running for the first time last year, after suffering great losses, both personal and in his businesses, because of Covid.

"My experience opened my eyes to how prevalent mental health problems are, how few people understand them, and the obstacles people have to face when getting help. Stigma, fear, affordability. They are all very real."

His girlfriend, Diana Richards, has been providing support and has run 43 of the 79 days with him. "She has been a big inspiration for me to complete many of the runs and has helped me through a lot of the tougher spots in the journey," said Cock.

He has also received great public support so far. "In every community I have gone through, I have had such incredible people join me and tell me their stories, and I have met some wonderfully inspirational people along the way."