Personal message

Dear Friends, Colleagues and Family,

As many of you will know, I sometimes take on seemingly ludicrous challenges. So far the 100km Ultra-Trail Cape Town is about the most ridiculous of these endeavours for me. Check out the route here https://www.ultratrailcapetown.com/100km

I can't pretend to give a complete and satisfactory answer to why I and other runners take on the inexplicable. But what we all agree is that the environment of Table Mountain is without doubt one of the most precious and spectacular parts of the world to be in. At the same time, running 100km (even amid such splendour) is never easy.

In fact it's quite the opposite of easy - substantial degrees of suffering and pain are inevitable. One thing I have discovered from similar undertakings in the past, is that it makes a HUGE difference having something to keep me going when it really doesn't feel possible, and when it no longer seems like a such a "good idea" to get to the finish line.

So this time I have dedicated my race to two causes that are close to my heart. Firstly, making the joy and privilege of trail running available to those who have never had the opportunity to appreciate these mountains in the way that I have. A portion of the funds will contribute financially to developing trail running for disadvantaged communities and fostering the next group of elite runners. The other portion of the funds will contribute to the preservation of this vital resource that gives so much life to the city and the people who live in it. The fund will assist with various programs that sustain the National Park e.g. clearing alien vegetation, trail rehabilitation, arranging cleanups and other environmental programmes.

I invite you to support this cause as best you can. Every Rand contributed goes directly towards a fund supporting these two initiatives.

I really appreciate your support!

Stephen

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