Primrose Hill’s Ten10 founder gets ready to run for animals once again
Ultra-marathon runner runs the Ten10 to raise funds for animals.
She is an ultra-marathon runner of note and ready to tackle whatever the open road throws at her.
And, with the Comrades Marathon fast approaching, Primrose Hill resident Hazel Möller will soon be hitting the road again in the Ten10.
“Over the last 20 years I have run practically every day of my life.
“I have completed hundreds of marathons and ultras, 15 Comrades and over 20 100-milers.
“On this journey, I have met the most amazing people and running has been a source of pleasure, camaraderie and inspiration to me and I wanted to use my love of the sport to help others,” said Möller.
Möller said that she realised that she could train her body to run far.
“It does not take talent, it just takes hard work and a fair degree of stubbornness,” she said.
“My three dogs accompany me on most of my runs and we encounter stray, hurt and abandoned animals all the time.
“So why not combine my love of running with my love of animals?
“A friend told me that if one feels blessed, one should pass those blessings on.
“That is why I started using ultra-distance running to raise money and awareness for animal rescue centres.
“In 2013 I did my first fundraiser for domestic animal rescue and shelters.
“I ran 322km in 42 hours – toughest thing I have ever done – but only raised R33 000.”
From this the Ten10 was born in 2014.
“The Ten10 was born out of a casual discussion amongst members of the Bedfordview Athletics Club.
“They convinced me that doing something involving Comrades would be the way to get more donations and exposure for animal welfare.
“Through the assistance of my family and the Bedfordview Athletics Club team, Ten10 became a reality,” Möller said.
The Ten10 involves running 10 Comrades marathons in 10 days.
“We are not allowed to run on the Comrades route, so we run 86 to 90kms a day in under 12 hours for nine days by running the scenic route from Johannesburg to Durban.
“And what a scenic, hilly route it is!
“On the tenth day, we join the 20 000 plus runners at the Comrades start line,” she said.
In 2014 Möller raised R88 000, in 2015 R86 000 and in 2016 she had a sponsor for the first time, namely Bulldog Abrasives.
“They helped us by covering our operating costs so that we were not personally out of pocket, as in previous years.
“Their marketing of the event in the motor industry resulted in donations from the business sector.
“We doubled the money raised in 2015 and had over three tons of pet food donated.
“Husky Purina donated about 2.2 tons and the remaining 800kg came from runners donating food,” Möller said.
This year Möller will be raising more money for PETS (Pet Empowerment in Townships) to cover the astronomical vet bills incurred in the treatment of abused and neglected animals, as well as Underdogs, a Pretoria-based pit bull terrier rehabilitation centre.
“We also plan to get even more pet food to hand over to as many animal shelters as possible. “By doing so, shelters are given a reprieve, a short amount of time during which their fundamental need is met – food for the animals.
“That way we get to have a far reaching positive affect,” she said.
Möller added that the response and support that they have had from the running community has been overwhelming.
Hazel is set to start her run on May 26 and will be ready to tackle the Comrades Marathon on June 4.
This year she will be running with Tumelo Mokobane.
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Local ultra-marathon athlete to run in aid of animals
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