Ethiene finishes 56km
SANDTON – Local running coach completes 56km in 83m laps at home.
Sandton Run Walk for Life coach, Ethiene Marais has completed his personal challenge of running 56km at home.
He ran this in 83m laps over six days, including a half-marathon distance 21km on the final day, 11 April.
“I am a passionate runner and I didn’t enter Comrades this year so I decided to spend the year training instead. I decided to do something at home to help motivate people to stay positive,” he told Sandton Chronicle.
“My highlight was definitely completing the final session and afterwards receiving my surprise and very special challenge medal,” Marais added, with a joke that he feels much older since completing the run.
He said he could see himself doing something similar in the future but he would be more prepared next time and he would raise funds for the less fortunate through the challenge.
He said difficulties he experienced included running on paving, grass, cement and firm soil and even a tree branch. The bones in his feet and muscles in his back also hurt after a while.
“The route has six sharp turns where I have to run through garden gate sections and past house corners.”
He said each day his dogs got excited when he starts and chase him around. But after a few laps they get bored and just watch him.
He also needed to maintain focus while running or else he might take a wrong step and hurt his ankles or knees.
“My pace on the route was roughly seven minutes per kilometre.”
Marais hopes people will stay positive during the lockdown by being grateful for the good things they have, reading good books and engaging in their hobbies. “If you are in a position to safely help others that are less fortunate in this challenging time, do so.”
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Ethiene Marais is running 56km at home
