WATCH: Oakdene man runs virtual Comrades for worthy cause
The race will start at 5.30 am on June 14 and finished at about 3 pm. You can catch Imram live on June 14 on Zwift.
Imran Abbas (47) is calling on your support for his chosen charity when he runs the Comrades in the comfort of his home in Oakdene on June 14.
CHRONICLE met with Imran on June 10 just after his final training for the Race The Comrade Legends 2020.
This is the world’s largest ultra-marathon where the world’s largest virtual event will be happening. Imran, who is chairperson of Esmero Cycling and Athletics Club, was looking forward to this year’s Comrades Marathon which was cancelled due to Covid-19.
However, he has done numerous marathons including Ironman and his maiden Comrades Marathon last year, which he finished on his birthday, June 9, in a time of 09:20:09.
“Difficult as it was, I enjoyed the Comrades Marathon and this year I was definitely gunning for sub-nine hours. We had hoped that they will change the date and move it to September, October or November but those months are too hot for running and it was cancelled.
“Then, last month came to Race The Comrade Legends 2020 where you can enter online and run wherever you are. There are virtual distance options of 90km, 45km, 21.1km, 10km and 5 km. “There were suggestions from friends and family to register for the 21.1km, however, I do that on any Saturday and 45km is only about three to four hours. So I thought why not, let me do the 90km distance,” explained Imran.
Running this marathon he will help raise funds for a registered NPO on the West Rand called Lil Choices. This organisation gives young women who fall pregnant the opportunity to have their babies and decide on the future of the child, whether it be keeping the baby or putting it up for adoption.
“In some cultures it is taboo to have a baby before marriage and you are often chased away. Lil Choices helps these young women. “So I will be running to help them. People will be donating per kilometer. In the past we’ve also been helping another organisation called Baby Moses,” he said.
Imran is well prepared for this race with all the backups from UPS to satellite modem to capture each and every moment.
The race will start at 5.30 in the morning and finished at about 3pm. You can catch Imram live on June 14 on Zwift.
To donate to his worthy cause click: https://www.givengain.com/cc/running-for-choice/
