In 2011 after suffering a great personal loss, I came across the story of Red Sock Friday which you can read elsewhere on the blog. It was in this discovery that I started wearing red socks on every Friday to remember my father, my grandfather and friends that have passed and to make sure I am making the most of my life for them. In making the discovery of Red Socks, I was introduced to one of the most inspirational men I have met, John McInroy, Mr ShoOops. It was through this interaction that I came to be aware of the Unogwaja Challenge, a challenge that coupled two of the most inspirational things in my life, Red Socks and the Comrades Marathon. With this in mind I approached John to be part of the team for the 2013 race and that is where it began.
Now I love sport, but my problems with my knee, ankle and weight have limited anything involvement in endurance sport to spectator. But the Unogwaja Challenge is not just a journey of athletic ability, it is one of heart and that brought an aspect that I could bring to the party. And since late 2012 I have been part of a group of people that are both inspirational and full of heart. I was part of the support crew from a non-travelling point of view but was as much a part of the team as any others.
The Unogwaja Team together head off tomorrow morning at 04:00 from Cape Town on the long journey to Pietermaritzburg before taking on the gruelling Comrades Marathon on Sunday 2 June. I will unfortunately only be joining the team at the Comrades (No, I wont be running) but will be supporting them by wearing my red socks every day until then. I would like to challenge you all to do the same. Its worthwhile when you think the team has raised R236 000 for charity in the build up to this event.
So who are the team taking on the adventure?
Unogwaja 12
AJ Spieringshoek
Andrew King
Bev Davey
Grant Matkovich
David Williamson
Joff Gouveris
John McInroy
Michelle van Zyl
Miranda Symons
Richard Clark
Thamar Clark
Tiago Dionisio
Support Crew
Altesh Baijoo – Social Media
*Bronwyn Freeman – Comrades Charities
Chris McInroy – Head of Support
Cindy Corbett – Nutrition and General Support
*Danielle Mascher – Unogwaja Website
Ilana Steenkamp – Driver / Mr Shoops personal chef
*Feige & Zissy Lewin (Nutreats) – Pinboards
Peter Norton – Film Crew
Robert Goslett – Film Crew Chaffeur
Robert le Brun – Bike support
Sarah Hall – Biokineticist
Taryn Povey – Physio
*Tyron “Jabu” Barnard – Blogging
Viviene Beck – General Support
Zayne Botha – Film Crew
* – non travelling
These 27 people have filled my life over the recent months with entertainment, laughter but most importantly a healthy dose of inspiration. To each one on the team, if you didn’t realise the difference you are making, I speak for thousands of people when I say you inspire me to go with my heart. Good luck for the journey and see you at the finish line on Sunday. ShoOops.
If you would like to track the Unogwaja Challenge progress head on over to http://unogwajachallenge.mapit.co.za you can also follow them on Twitter @TheUnogwaja and on Facebook and of course right here on All Things Jabu.
If you are still struggling for motivation and inspiration, have a watch of the Unogwaja 2012 Challenge Documentary.