Is running in your jeans? Update after the race!

(2006-06-20)

Andrew King ran the Comrades in Jeans! Here is the latest on his experience.


I never thought 89-km's in a pair of jeans was going to be easy, and it wasn't. The big chaff-monster already started lurking at Cowies Hill, only 15-km's into the race!!! Needless to say that by the end my jeans had rubbed a massive hole through 2 pairs of lycra pants and themselves. But no serious damage done, or nothing a trip to the medical tent and a few bandages could not sort out. It was a tough day out but I finally made it to Pietermarizburg in 10 hours 21 minutes with a massive smile on my face.

The atmosphere and the support from the crowds on the day was awesome. The Comrades really is a special event which seems to touch everyone involved.

There is no doubt that the Comrades Marathon is unbelievably long and hard. But what does make it more achievable is the thousands and thousands of people lining the streets that cheer you on. It is also a little bit easier because there are over 50 official seconding tables with plenty of smiling faces offering you juice, food or any other medical treatment you require. There are also your personal seconds, the people who mean the most to you who have taken the time to get themselves onto the course to support you all the way. I have no doubt that if any runner decided to run the 89km on any other day of the year without all this support, they probably would not make it to the end.

This is how I felt when Melissa and I drove to the iZandla zoThando Aids Orphanage deep in the rural Natal Midlands yesterday to hand over your sponsored pledges. There is no doubt that these 500 children who have lost their parents to HIV/Aids face a long, tough and uphill battle in life. To me the real heros are the wonderful people, like the ones at iZandla zoThando who support them, care for them and give them a reason to keep pushing on despite the monumental obstacles that lie ahead.

Altogether I have received over R15 000 in sponsorship pledges. So far about R3000 of this has already been deposited, however, if you have not deposited the money yet into the account below, please do so as soon as possible. It is also very important that you email me when you have paid (with the amount) so that I can hand that information over to the bank to access the money.

The doors are however by no means closed. If you know anyone who would still like to possibly make a contribution please feel free to send them the information. Even R100 really does go a long way.

Thank you to everyone that supported me. It really was worth all the effort, pain and medical bills!

Special thanks to Kerrie for all her media input and support, Dave for making this project work so effortlessly and Chester for running with me.

Special Special thanks to my farther and my girlfriend Melissa for the support along the route. It was so easy to keep going when I knew one of you were "just down the road"

I look forward to catching up with all of you over a cold beer soon.

Thanks again.

Andrew King

Bank name: First National Bank
Name on Account: Wilderness Foundation
Branch: Walmer Park
Branch code: 211417
Account number: 50750071629
Reference: AK(+your name)


If you would like to help Andrew by sponsoring him, just send your full name, e-mail address, cell number, and the amount you want to pledge (minimum R2/kilometre or a once-off amount) to andrewking@worldonline.co.za

More info can be found here: www.freedomchallenge.org.za and www.centocowmission.org