It is amazing to wrap your head around the fact that the earth is 40 075km around.
More amazing is that some runners actually accumulate so many kilometres while running in official races that they can claim they ran around the world
Here in the heart of eMalahleni 59-year old Lesley Vermeulen is in the final straight to become only the second woman runner in South Africa that has run around the world. Sue Darroll was the first.
Lesley must run another 564.6km before the Comrades Marathon to add this accolade behind her name.
Lesley will be the second runner from the City of Coal. Last year 69-year old Neels Vermeulen became one of only nine runners who have run around the world in races. Neels and Kosie van Vuuren, Hanspeter Stebler, Ric Marini, Paul Selby, Frik du Preez, Des Robins, Dean McClealand and Sue have more than 40 075.16km under their feet.
Lesley is the most decorated ultra road runner in South Africa. She has the most permanent numbers for races in the country. And after 35 years of running Lesley has her eyes set on crossing the most difficult finish line in her running career.
“I am much older and to top it off I am not a sportswoman at all,” Lesley said as she reflected on the kilometres under her feet.
Because she only has three months to run the more than 500km Lesley is sticking to a strict schedule.
Her diary tells you that she has races lined up every weekend. The next big one is the Gift of the Givers Township Marathon where she is determined to finish the 42.2km before the cut off time.
Lesley Vermeulen wants to be one of a handful of runners who have run around the world in official races.
Finishing before the cut-off time is crucial otherwise the kilometres she runs does not count.
Lesley is also gearing up for her 30th Loskop Marathon, in April, offering her a valuable 50km she can add towards her goal.
From June up to December last year she covered 1 015.275km.
If you are not a runner it is not easy to comprehend the sacrifices runners make.
“I am on an emotional roller-coaster. Running is a punishment right now, because I have to make every kilometre count. My life partner, Abie Smit and I do not have a social life. We are off to bed at 20:00 on a Friday night, we get up at 02:00 the next morning to drive to a race, run it, come back around lunchtime, take a nap, eat and sleep. Then it starts all over again as we get ready for another race the following day.”
Her eyes became cloudy when she spoke about the Modern Athlete Bobbies Half Marathon that took place on Sunday, February 5,
“I was in tears. Abie took my hand and dragged me up the hill. I was putting strain on him, but could not get myself to let go. So many runners encouraged me to finish. My tummy was aching; my knees were hurting my hips were killing me. But the moment I stepped over the finish line I had this overwhelming feeling of accomplishment.”
When Lesley sits down after a race, ticks off the race and calculates her kilometres she realised that this is a huge mountain to climb. But with willpower and strength of mind she is getting ready to cross the 564.6km finish line.
WITBANK NEWS will be following Lesley’s amazing journey and share every kilometre’s experience with our readers on our social media networks.
Also follow Lesley on Facebook ‘Go Lesley, go’
