Marathoners ready to tackle the Outeniqua

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The excitement in the air is palpable as athletes from across South Africa gathered in George to participate in the Outeniqua Marathon and Half-marathon, kicking off respectively at Cornerstone Lifestyle Centre in Blanco (07:00) and the Garden Route Dam at 08:00.

Two shorter races - a 10km and 5km - will start from the Wilderness Commonage at 08:00.

All the races end in Wilderness.

This event is sponsored by George Municipality and Universal Kitchens, and is organised by Outeniqua Harriers.

According to Esmé Boshoff, committee member of Outeniqua Harriers, they received over 1 400 entries for the entire event. “This is substantially more than our entries last year,” she said.

Participants in the Outeniqua Marathon set off.

Brave at heart

Among those who travelled from afar to participate is Aadam Forgan (43) from Cape Town, who will run the Outeniqua Half-marathon.

Forgan is bravely facing stage 4 colorectal cancer.

Two years after his diagnosis, shortly following his sister’s own cancer diagnosis, Aadam has endured extensive surgery and intense chemotherapy.

Clinging to hope for a critical liver transplant, he has transformed his love of running into a powerful mission, raising over R31 500 for CHOC (the Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa) via his BackaBuddy campaign to aid children battling cancer.

Aadam’s campaign on BackaBuddy is still open for donations, and can be found here.

Ymke Vreken, Izak Boshoff, Maryke Neizel and Lucelle van der Merwe.

From the Group Editors stable

Staff of George Herald and Mossel Bay Advertiser (MBA) are joining the fun with participation in the 10km and 5km races. CEO Servaas de Kock, Suzette Herrer (group editor), Louise Karsten (MBA editor), Linzetta Calitz (MBA journalist), Chelsea Pieterse (MBA journalist) and Wahl Lessing (subeditor) are rearing to go!

Mayor Jackie von Brandis and Duppie du Preez of Outeniqua Harriers.