In July, Rehan Greeff completed his Run Forest Run TriChallenge, doing three Ironman-length triathlons in three countries in six days, to raise money to help vulnerable children. – By Sean Falconer
Category: Features
‹ Back
Beyond My IMPossible
When we feel empowered to tell our stories, there are no limits to how much we can inspire others. Through BEYOND MY IMPOSSIBLE, adidas is empowering 11 women to cross their first marathon finish line, at the 2022 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in October, while sharing their journey to the start line with the running community.
The Coach
COACH KATHLEEN SHUTTLEWORTH
Living out her core value, “Driven by passion, pursuing excellence” since 2004, Coach Kathleen has guided numerous athletes to achieving provincial and national medals in track, cross country and biathlon.
She’s also helped many runners of all levels to conquer their first marathon or achieve that elusive personal best. Now she is putting her considerable talents to helping 11 women tackle their first marathon.
The Runners
ZOE BROWN
Age: 32
Resides: Rondebosch
Bio: Zoe describes herself as an “ordinary girl with an extraordinary job.”
She’s a radio presenter for The Flash Drive from 15h00-19h00 on KFM 94.5, and a TV presenter on the Expresso Show on SABC 3.
Follow Zoe’s journey @zbzoebrown
NCEBAKAZI DYANI
Age: 26
Resides: Rondebosch
Bio: Ncebakazi runs with the adidas Runners Cape Town crew and is a hiking fanatic. She describes herself as an adventure enthusiast and the “coolest aunt, daughter and sister!”
Her latest adventure is being on a journey to finish her first marathon.
Follow Ncebakazi’s journey @dyanincebakazi
LENISE SWANSON
Age: 41
Resides: Monte Vista
Bio: As a medical doctor and mother of four, Lenise is an advocate for a healthy lifestyle. She loves taking on new challenges, and this year has chosen to compete in her first full marathon. Her future goal is to participate in major international marathons, while experiencing many wonderful countries and cultures around the world.
Follow Lenise’s journey @lenise_swanson
LEATITIA GRADWELL
Age: 45
Resides: Plumstead
Bio: Leatitia is a wife and mom, who works in the pharmaceutical industry. She describes herself as a Christian girl from Mitchell’s Plain trying to better herself, and hoping it will empower other women in the process.
She believes that “we rise by lifting others.” When it comes to the Cape Town Marathon, Leatitia says she’s going to run with purpose: “I’m pacing myself and I’m going to end strong!”
YENTLE ARENDSE
Age: 33
Resides: Parow
Bio: Yentle is married, has a son and two more stepchildren, and works at a signage company. Family is really important to her, as she lost her Dad at a young age, and sadly, also her mom at the end of 2020. She spends most weekends running, watching her husband and children play soccer, and watching English football.
Follow Yentle’s Journey @yentlearendse
JANA STEYN
Age: 30
Resides: Langebaan
Bio: Jana spent most of her life in the bushveld of Limpopo. She recently moved to the West Coast in the Cape, and is fulfilling her dream to live at the beach.
Jana is a lawyer and enjoys going on all sorts of adventures while exploring her home country.
Follow Jana’s Journey @janasteyn92
KAY ABRAHAMS
Age: 24
Resides: Somerset West
Bio: Kay describes herself as a runner and a creative. Family and community is important to her, and she enjoys the outdoors.
She’s currently on a journey to completing her first marathon, the Cape Town Marathon.
Follow Kay’s Journey @kayabrahams
SHAAKIRAH JAFTHA
Age: 27
Resides: Steenberg
Bio: Shaakirah is a single mom, who was born and raised in the Cape Flats. She is an adidas Runners Booster, and has an absolute passion for running.
Her dream is to inspire change and make a difference through sport, specifically running. She describes herself as “inspired to inspire.”
Follow Shaakirah’s journey @shaakirahjaftha
ASHLEIGH BREDEVELDT
Age: 32
Resides: Southfield
Bio: Ashleigh was born profoundly deaf in Cape Town with an identical womb-mate. She received a cochlear implant at the tender age of five and obtained full language. Today she’s a go-getter who enjoys outdoor activities and exploring hidden gems in South Africa and abroad.
Ashleigh is a graphic designer, a deaf awareness advocate, and is always ready to take on a new challenge!
Follow Ashleigh’s journey @jog4pizza
MELISSA ABRAHAMS
Age: 35
Resides: Bellville
Bio: Having experienced health challenges after being diagnosed with PCOS during her infertility journey, Melissa now considers running her medicine, her coping mechanism, and her quiet time with God. She says she is running towards the vision of becoming a happier, healthier individual, wife, and mother one day soon!
Follow Melissa’s Journey @melissaabrahams
TRACEY ABRAHAMESE
Age: 40
Resides: Plumstead
Bio: Tracey is a 40-year-old single mother to a young daughter and two fur babies. She is passionate about flowers, fitness, fierce females, furry friends, and the outdoors.
Tracey is an advocate for mental health and women’s empowerment, and she firmly believes that women need to uplift, encourage, motivate,
Follow Tracey’s Journey @justcallmetrace_fitness
The Ultimate First Marathon
In 1987, after recovering from a serious car accident, I decided I needed less work and more adventure in my life, so I applied to be part of the inaugural running of the Everest Marathon in Nepal. – By Scott Mcivor
Unfinished Business – 20 Comrades, 20 days
For most runners, the 2022 Comrades Marathon will start in the early morning hours of 28 August, but for Mike Sewell it will start 19 days earlier, in Cape Town, when he begins his 20 Comrades in 20 Days Challenge. By Sean Falconer
Fans of Race Numbers – Gerda Gives us Tips
When Gerda Steyn posted a pic on social media of her race number collection and asked what other runners do with their numbers, it resulted in hundreds of replies and great suggestions. Edited by Sean Falconer
Sprinting into the Record Books
South Africa has a new sprinting sensation, Viwe Jingqi, and she is still just 17, but she has already claimed three national records, some of which had stood for more than three decades! – By Wilhelm de Swardt with Sean Falconer
Running for Reagan
This year’s winner of the Sanet Wentzel Spirit Award at the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN was Jéan Payne, who is using running to cope with a heart-breaking loss. This is her story. – By Sean Falconer
On Course for a PB in Paris
After a few delays to our racing plans caused by the COVID pandemic, I found myself running the Paris Marathon in October, chasing a sub-3:15 finish, but instead, I found myself pushing for a sub-3:00 for the first time, much to the surprise of my training partner! – by Wellington Mpofu
Still Cruising at 90
Her transition from concert pianist to ‘galloping granny’ at 78 has brought Deirdre Larkin several World Records, countless media interviews, and a roomful of medals, but she continues to run just for the sheer enjoyment of it. And the 90-year-old does it all with a wicked sense of humour, too
Glenrose Xaba, A Standout Performer at the SPAR Grandprix
The SPAR Grand Prix has injected life into the women’s elite racing scene in South Africa, with scintillating times being run throughout the series, and one of the South Africans to catch the eye was Glenrose Xaba, who eventually finished third in the 2021 Grand Prix standings. – By Sean Falconer
Tuck into good reads about Glenrose Xaba’s great SPAR results, Stef & Sabrina’s Oyster Catcher father-daughter adventure, the comeback story about Comrades Green Debbie Fass after her hip replacement, a welcome back for sprinter Carina Horn, Mindlo Mdhluli’s journey from learning to swim to ultra triathlete, and Sue Ullyett describes the hard times she went through in coming back from being seriously ill with COVID, PLUS all you need to know about the record-breaking adidas adizero shoe range.