Amanzimtoti Athletics Club member, Lauren Symmonds completed her first Comrades Marathon on Sunday and dedicated her up run to raise funds for the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA).
She ran for Pink Drive and raised a fantastic R7,260.
“Running was never my forte growing up. I admiringly thought ‘those’ people were daft,” said the 24-year-old runner. “Two years ago my journey on the road began with one mission in mind and that was to purely lose weight.
“Parkruns were my goal and from there, things escalated as I found myself not only diving to any 5km to 10km race, but landing into a phenomenal plunge pool of athletes where motivation and passion was key. Soon their love for running grew on me.
READ ALSO: Remembering when: The first Comrades Marathon took place
“As I took each step, I knew I could set some previously unattainable goals and ponder through them. So I set out to enter the Two Oceans Ultra Marathon before I had attempted my first marathon.
“Weight was no longer my focal point – rather the self-satisfaction of achieving the goals I had set for myself,” said Lauren.
See tomorrow’s South Coast Sun print edition for more on what drove Lauren to complete her first Comrades and learn whether she’s keen to join in on future editions of the ultimate human race.
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