Going the distance for Little Eden on Mandela Day
“The support residents of KZN showed complete strangers was really amazing. It was one of my greatest experiences.”
This Mandela Day running enthusiast Sipho Marima will take to the streets to create awareness about Little Eden Society and the mentally disabled.
Since starting running almost two years ago it has become Sipho’s lifestyle aiming to finish his 10th marathon this year.
The 28-year-old manager at Edenglen Virgin Active said he took up running after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament playing soccer for the University of Johannesburg.
His decision to assist the society began when the gym was invited to attend Little Eden’s annual fête.
“After learning about the history of Little Eden and how Domitilla Rota Hyams founded it, I became inspired and asked myself what I can do to help others,” said Sipho.
“The more I visited the society and interacted with the residents the more motivated I felt.”
Despite running for two years, running was not his main focus until a year ago when his daughter went through a traumatic experience.
“After the experience it was tough on us as a family. I realised that I was unhappy. I felt lost and felt as if I failed my daughter.”
While receiving counselling a psychologist recommended that Sipho take up running as another form of therapy and on July 3 last year, Sipho woke up and hit the ground running.
“That morning I ran 8km. It was quite hard but afterwards I just felt amazing. I felt stronger.”
Since then Sipho has built his fitness running longer distances and nine marathons to date.
He said although running started as therapy it has become his lifestyle.
“Something which was quite special for me was running the Comrades Marathon this year.
“The support residents of KZN showed complete strangers was really amazing. It was one of my greatest experiences.”
In September this year, Sipho hopes to run the Cape Town Marathon which he has not only dedicated to his daughter but to raise funds for Little Eden.
“Because it will be my 10th marathon, I hope to raise R10 000, So far I have raised R2 000.”
Community members interested in Joining Sipho on his Mandela Day run can join him on July 18 at 7.45am at the gates of Little Eden.
“I hope to run approximately 11km with community members at an accommodating pace for 67 minutes.”
After the run, Sipho intends to spend another 67 minutes interacting with the society’s residents.
Those who hope to join Sipho are encouraged to bring donations on the day which will be given to the society.
Contact Little Eden Society on 011 609 7246 to find out what donations you can make to the home.
Contact Sipho 071 443 1445 for more information about his Mandela Day initiative and his awareness campaign.
