TOYS R Us and Babies R Us will proudly support first-time entrant and employee, Ryan Blamire, as he tackles the 2018 Comrades Marathon for the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust (HACT).
Ryan, a category manager for the country’s largest toy store, will be swapping his corporate tie for running shoes as he takes on the ultimate human race this Sunday.
He is set to join 20 000 enthusiastic athletes, in this year’s 91km down run starting at the City Hall in Pietermaritzburg and finishing in Durban.
“Setting goals and achieving something exceptional is very important to me. Each year I set out to attempt something that I have never done before and that’s one of the reasons I wanted to run the Comrades Marathon this year,” he said.
Ryan threw his support behind the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust after being “so touched by the exceptional work they do.”
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“I also believe it’s so important to give back and the wonderful people at HACT have such an incredible sense of service to others and that’s what they ultimately live for.
“We will be heading out to run in the early hours of the morning, but they too will be making their way to the roadsides at the very same time set up water tables for the runners,” he said.
Ryan urges communities to donate to the cause via the Comrades website.
Blamire, who has been a casual road runner for several years made the bold decision in October last year to run the Comrades Marathon.
It was during the Comrades 2017 cheering and watching his friends run past that he decided to set it as his goal.
“When I saw the spirit from the runners, the support from the spectators, I couldn’t help but imagine the feeling of reaching that finish line and now it’s time to turn that dream into a reality,” he said.
Blamire’s rigorous fitness buildup kicked off in full force on December 31, keeping him on track and ready to take on the challenge.
“Most people think the joy of Comrades is all about finishing on the day but it’s so much more than that. The discipline of waking up at 3am some mornings and go out to conquer a big mileage is what has been the greatest lesson for me. I have made such great friends in the process and the overwhelming guidance and support from more seasoned runners is just so humbling,” he added.
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