Durban North resident to run 8 marathons in 8 cities for charity
Jo Maingard is raising funds for the Coshulwazi Crèche which her family looks after in the Midlands and will be completing the London Marathon to raise funds for Save the Rhino International.
TAKING on eight marathons in eight different countries in three months would be a daunting task, for most, however, Durban North resident, Jo Maingard, is determined to do just that in the name of charity.
The 25-year-old starts her octet of marathons in Ireland in April. She plans on doing the Tralee Marathon (Ireland), the London Marathon (England), the Prague Marathon (Czech Republic), the Amsterdam Marathon (Holland), the Helsinki Marathon (Finland), the Stockholm Marathon (Sweden), the Midnight Sun Marathon (Norway) and finally the Hamburg Marathon (Germany).
Chatting to Northglen News, Maingard explained her motivation for attempting to complete the incredible feat. She is raising funds for the Coshulwazi Crèche which her family looks after in the Midlands and will be completing the London Marathon to raise funds for Save the Rhino International.
“I’ve always wanted to use my passion for running for something bigger than myself. I actually decided in December last year on a yoga retreat that I wanted to run eight marathons in eight different countries. Any city or place I travel to I always make a point of running so I thought this would be a great chance to see the world and give back,” she explained.
“The Coshulwazi Crèche is a cause very close to my heart as my family adopted the crèche in 2016 after the passing of my cousing Jenna. The school is situated only three kilometres away from where my uncle lives and we decided as a family to take the crèche under our wing. My goal is to raise R90 603 (Jenna’s birthdate) in order to build another classroom for the creche which caters to around 60 children, and to get them better toilet facilities and teaching aids,” Maingard said.
Since adopting the creche, Jo and her family have built a new roof for the school and also given back to the children.
Maingard, who is an experience runner and is part of the Max Elite Running Club said her family weren’t surprised when she announced that she would be taking on eight marathons in different countries.
“My brother said of course you are doing this and my mom and dad said they weren’t surprised. They are fully behind me and that’s given me that extra confidence boost because they believe I can do it. I have no doubt the marathons will be tough but I’m nervously excited for what lies ahead,” she said.
She added she hoped to inspire other women and young girls to dream big and go for their goals.
She has set up an Instagram page (@whorunstheworld_jo), so people can see her preparations and her journey leading up the first marathon and beyond.
She has also set-up a BackABuddy page to raise funds for the creche and a JustGiving page for the Save the Rhino foundation.
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