AT 85 years of age, Ahmed Dawjee had the distinction of being the oldest person to complete the Discovery East Coast Radio Big Walk last year. He is likely to hold onto that title
this year, as he is already signed up for the event taking place on Sunday, 22 May. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world!” said Dawjee excitedly. The vibrant great-grandfather showed hosts, Darren Maule and Natarah Nadesan a thing or two, when he joined the East Coast Breakfast team in-studio on Friday morning, 22 April.
Dawjee’s grandson, Ozayr Dawjee, said this will be his grandfather’s fifth Discovery East Coast Radio Big Walk. “In 2012 I had registered for the big walk and my grandfather
heard about it on the radio and was very keen, so he asked me to register him too. He enjoyed it very much and has insisted I register him every year since.”
Dawjee senior completed the 10km distance last year. “It was wonderful,” he said, “There were so many people there, I really enjoyed it. I did it at my own pace. I wasn’t tired at all.” He and his family will be doing the 10km again this year. Born in 1930, Dawjee will be celebrating his 86th birthday a few days after the event on Friday, 27 May. Asked about how he stays is such good shape, he replied, “Everything comes from the Almighty. I have Him to thank. Age is only a number. I am fit and young at heart. I still drive and I like going for long walks at the beach. I like keeping active,” he said.
More than 1900 participants in last year’s event were over the age of 70. Most walkers though – more than 4700 of them – were 19 years or younger, proving that the Discovery East Coast Radio Big Walk is for everyone. All four distances – 5km, 10km, 15km and 20km – get underway at uShaka Marine World and end at People’s Park, Moses Mabhida Stadium. This year, only the first 30 000 entries will be accepted. The 5km has already been sold out and other distances are fast filling up too. Enter online at www.ecr.co.za.
