Ash Naidoo runs for a noble goal

Ash Naidoo must have heard the Chariots of Fire music in her head when she ran 92km for charity on 14 June.

The Noordwyk resident initially planned to only run 90km but after stopping and chatting with people to raise awareness about her charity of choice, and even joining a resident for a kilometre or two, she had more energy in the tank than she needed.

Naidoo has a BackaBuddy campaign for a Gift of the Givers Foundation which supports medical staff dealing with the coronavirus.”My target of raising R20 000 may have been unrealistic but my priority is my charity and the campaign is still open for donations,” Naidoo said.

The campaign has raised over R4 200 as of 15 June.

“I started with my sister, Sagaree, at about 4.15am and she was running 21km. So we ran to Waterfall and back, with me doing a few extra roads back and forth,” Naidoo continued.

“I then came back and ran the rest of the distance around here. Time was no concern for me and the highlight was stopping and talking to people and making new friends.”

Naidoo said she met many people along the road running five, 10, 21 and even 45km for the Race the Comrades Legends virtual run.The communal spirit that pervades the running community saw runners encourage Naidoo to complete her goal. She also encouraged those runners to do their best.

She concluded, “My one knee has been dodgy since my last Comrades but other than that there were no injuries. I am just taking it easy and resting now.”