Taking on Three Everests for Child and Family Welfare

GEORGE NEWS - Most people would struggle to climb George Peak once.

But next month, local ultra-distance athlete Thembinkosi Sojola will attempt something that might be one of the toughest challenges ever tackled in the Garden Route.

He plans to climb George Peak for the equivalent of three Mount Everests to raise funds for George Child and Family Welfare.

On Friday 7 August, Sojola will repeatedly ascend and descend the peak until he has covered more than 26 400m of elevation gain. The challenge will test every aspect of his physical and mental endurance while raising much-needed funds.

“I chose the organisation as the beneficiary of my challenge, because every child deserves a safe, loving foundation to build their life on. I want to raise not just funds, but awareness: investing in child and family welfare breaks cycles of trauma, builds stronger communities, and gives the next generation a real chance to thrive. No child should have to ‘climb’ life’s biggest obstacles alone. This is my way of standing with them,” he said.

Born in Gqeberha, Sojola is no stranger to extreme endurance events. In 2023, he set a South African and African record at the Big Dog’s Backyard Ultra World Championships in Tennessee, USA, completing 55 laps, about 365 km, to become South Africa’s Backyard Ultra record-holder.

Thembinkosi Sojola doing what he loves doing the most - running in our beautiful mountains. Photo: Supplied

The Big Dog’s Backyard Ultra World Championships is one of the world’s toughest endurance events. Competitors must complete a 6.706km loop every hour, on the hour, for as long as they can, with no predetermined finish. Any runner who fails to complete a loop within the hour or misses the next start is eliminated.

This is an invitation-only championship that attracts the world’s top backyard ultrarunners.

Sojola has also represented his country at the Backyard Ultra World Team and Individual Championships, and has consistently performed well in 100km-plus trail races, including the Ultra Trail Cape Town.

All proceeds raised through the challenge will go directly to George Child and Family Welfare.

The campaign has already been launched on social media, where supporters will be able to follow Sojola’s preparation and progress through regular video updates in the lead-up to the challenge as he actively shares his journey on Instagram (@sojolat) and Strava.

Those wishing to contribute can do so via the BackaBuddy fundraising campaign, ‘26 Climbs, one purpose - Thembinkosi’, or contact Chané Botha on 072 234 6906.

• George Child and Family Welfare is a designated child protection organisation, that was started from humble beginnings in September 1926. The organisation will be celebrating 100 years with a fun day on 26 September.

During the MUT Miler. Photo: Supplied