Bringers of hope
TWO positive young men, the ‘on foot’ part of the Unogwaja Challenge, passed through the 1 000km mark and Queenstown this week and had nothing but good to say about the town.
The Challenge, which comprises the two walkers and a separate group of cyclists, is a fundraising initiative for the Light Fund which this year aims to raise R2-million for community-based organisations focusing mainly on education and skills development.
“Even the street hawkers recognised us and shouted encouragement as we passed, thanks to the coverage in The Rep, and the warmth and support we receive gives us strength to carry on,” said John McInroy.
McInroy and fellow runner Rob Le Brun, aka The Brundle, were both born in Cape Town. McInroy’s family moved to the UK when he was four but they have been back since 1998 and he is a former South African hockey player.
Unogwaja started in 2011 when McInroy was part of the first group that cycled from Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg to run the Comrades Marathon in honour of Phil Masterton-Smith, who in 1933 could not afford train fare, so cycled from Cape Town to run the Comrades. McInroy has done the cycle trip every year since 2011.
Le Brun rode as far as Franschhoek in 2012 in support and the next two years travelled with them as a mechanic. This year’s support crew for the walkers comprises Le Brun’s parents, Stan and Sue, and McInroy’s girlfriend, Ariella. The duo did not do any specific training for the gruelling event, but they are fit because of their involvement in athletic pursuits.
The first 10 days are the most difficult and McInroy’s feet were so bad by day six that he feared he might have to give up. Thanks to perseverance and sponsorship from a footwear manufacturer, his feet are restored to health.
They have chosen minor roads where possible, preferably gravel, because they are quieter and safer.
“Many people can not afford a bicycle and the simplicity of being on foot allows us more connectivity with people along the way, which makes this so special,” McInroy adds.
To him the highlight has been the interaction with people which, he says, “is a way to get together, irrespective of whatever might keep us apart and this is ideal because it is not pretentious or exclusive. Hopefully these little pockets of magic will continue to grow.”
They have received support and hospitality along the way. From the little boy running with John near Lady Frere last year and shouting ‘Unogwaja,’ to the farmer in the Karoo who offered accommodation in his home and when they arrived he was not there, but had left the house open and stocked with groceries, to those who wave and shout encouragement along the way.
In Queenstown, too, they have experienced hospitality. They have stayed with Jenny and Ivan Hansen, who was a university friend of Stan, and the cycling group who left Cape Town yesterday and pass through town on Tuesday will be hosted by Queen’s College.
By the time they reach Pietermaritzburg they will have covered 1 700km on foot but then they will tackle the Comrades Marathon! Look out on television for the Unogwaja, including those who cycled – they will be wearing long red socks.