Biokineticist completes ultra-events to raise funds for Hospice
"Giving back isn't always through money. I wanted to use my talents to give back. The journey has been incredible."
On the morning of May 27, Benoni biokineticist Kirsty Roux laced up her running shoes and embarked on a journey she’s wanted all her life – a 100km ultra-mountain trail estimated to take around 20 hours of continuous running, day and night.
Roux took on her first 100km trail run challenge in the inaugural Mountain Ultra Trail by UTMB in George, running continuously on steep elevations of up to 200m, crossing rivers and manoevering up and down-hills on a muddy terrain.
She crossed the finish line at 03:00 on May 28 after 22 hours of a gruelling and brutal race.
Roux wasn’t just running for the glory of the race or chasing a personal milestone. She decided to use her first 100km trail run to make a difference.
She used the race to raise funds for Hospice East Rand, which she said has been very close to her heart because of her family’s involvement in the organisation.
“My dad has been involved with Hospice as a chairperson and the organisation provided palliative care to my grandparents when they had cancer,” she said.
She said she not only wanted to raise awareness of the work done by Hospice but also to run in honour of those who have dedicated their lives to serving the unwell and less fortunate.
“I had no idea the impact this would make. I’m humbled by the generosity of the community. So many companies and individuals have been so generous.
“It was another huge motivation on the day because I knew I wasn’t just racing for myself. It was a privilege to have Hospice on board.”
As an experienced trail runner having conquered the difficult courses of the Mont-Aux-Sources, Otter African Trail and Lesotho Ultra Trail among others, she admitted she had never ran anything as long as the 100km trail in the Outeniqua Mountains.
“It was an incredible experience that will live with me forever. The course was hard. They couldn’t really make it any tougher. There were huge climbs, steep downhills and thick mud we contended with, which made the course technical.”
Besides the beautiful views on the mountains towering over the Garden Route, Roux said such ultra and endurance events are opportunities to learn about yourself.
“There were many unknowns. I didn’t know I could be on my own for long periods navigating those trails in the dark. It was incredible to see what my body was capable of. I was proud of my legs for taking me up those monstrous mountains,” she said.
On her own for much of the race, she had to dig deep into her arsenal to stay positive even when things got tougher. It was thanks to her pre-race mental preparations which helped her to stay on course and complete the race.
“It was my mental preparation before the race. This includes lots of prayers. I could feel out in the route that I was not alone. I was being held and kept safe and my faith kept me going.”
Having raised over R40 000 during the UTMB event, Roux was again on the road – this time taking on the 87.7km Comrades Marathon down-run between Pietermaritzburg and Durban on June 11, hoping to increase the funds to over R50 000.
She finished the ultimate human race in 09:41:30, two weeks after conquering narrow paths on muddy terrains, going up and down mountains for a good cause.
“There are so many ways in which we can give back. I don’t have thousands of rands. What I do have is a fit and able body and I wanted to use my talents to give back. The journey has been incredible,” she said.
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Also Read: Help Benoni biokineticist run the MUT to raise funds for Hospice
