uMhlanga resident takes on virtual Comrades Marathon run for the SPCA
James McCallum plans on running nine loops (each loop measures 10 kilometres) in and around the area, starting and ending at Daily Dose on Durban View Road.
HUMPHREY the dog’s incredible journey which recently saw him surpass the R1-million mark in terms of fundraising for the Durban & Coast SPCA has inspired uMhlanga resident James McCallum, who this Sunday, will take on the virtual Comrades Marathon for charity.
More than 7 000 entrants from around the world have signed up to participate in the Comrades Centenary Hope Challenge virtual event on Sunday, 13 June and McCallum is one of those hopefuls.
The 40-year-old plans on running nine loops (each loop measures 10 kilometres) in and around the area, starting and ending at Daily Dose on Durban View Road.
Read also: SPCA toast to Humphrey’s ‘paw’some fundraising journey
Besides raising funds for the SPCA, McCallum added a portion of the money raised will also go towards St Michael’s Anglican Church in uMhlanga.
“I’ve never run a Comrades Marathon and although I did enter the virtual event last year I wanted to change things around this year. After reading about the amazing work Alwyn Immerman and his dog, Humphrey have done for the SPCA I wanted to dedicate my race to the SPCA and St Michael’s and felt this was the perfect way to tie it all in. Every runner knows the significance of the Comrades and it is one event everyone wants to be a part of,” he explained.
McCallum said sponsors have come on board with a few runners joining him for certain sections on the day.
Read also: Dog jumps from moving bakkie near Queen Nandi Drive
“I’ve been overwhelmed from the support people have shown since making the announcement. A few sponsors have come on board and one of them has sponsored a few T-shirts that will be worn by runners joining me for a loop on the day. There will be a QR code on the t-shirts which take you through to the GivenGain page I’ve set up. I would love to see people on the route support my run but I would also stress the adherence to Covid-19 regulations. In all I’ve set the target of raising R10 000 for the SPCA and St Michael’s,” he said.
McCallum added he is hoping to complete the run in seven hours and 30 minutes which is a silver medal time in the actual Comrades Marathon.
If you want to support McCallum’s fundraising run click here
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