Morné Basson (aka ‘Treadmill guy’) is planning to smash a Guinness World Record by running 72 consecutive half marathons, with the aim of raising awareness for those suffering from Motor Neuron Disease.
Basson is known for taking part in crazy challenges to shine a spotlight on the degenerative illness. Motor Neuron Disease occurs when specialist nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord stop working properly, leading to muscle weakness which eventually affects the ability to breathe.
Never one to shy away from a challenge, Basson first shot to prominence when he became the first man to complete an ultra-marathon at sea. Working on a luxury cruise liner at the time, he desperately wanted to compete in the 2015 Comrades Marathon, but being far from his home country, he had to get creative.
After getting the Comrades organisers on board, he completed the full 90 kilometer race on a treadmill aboard the ship on the same day as the event.
“I never see problems, only opportunities” said Basson.
“I’ve experienced my fair share of heartache. It might sound like a cliché, but life really is too short to not live every day in full.”
The current consecutive half-marathon record is 52. Morné’s journey to the world record started at Planet Fitness Olympus on July 15. From here he’ll be running every day for 72 days at a different Planet Fitness in Pretoria, Johannesburg, KwaZulu-Natal and Cape Town – finally making it back to Olympus on September 24.
Planet Fitness members are encouraged to show their support and to go take a shot at keeping up with Morné when he is visiting the different gyms.
As part of his half marathons, Basson will be running at Planet Fitness Bedforview (Bedford Square Shopping Centre), between July 16 and July 19, at 11am.
