Determination and Perseverance

We’ve been waiting three years for this moment. Fifteen thousand runners are on the start line of the Comrades Marathon in Pietermaritzburg. It is 28 August 2022, 5.20am.

The national anthem starts up and brings us all to goose bumps. The next piece of music is “Chariots of Fire”, which brings us all to tears. Then the cock crows and a few seconds later the gun goes off. We start the journey of tackling the hills, valleys and one or two flat bits all the way down to Durban.

For me, running is an extremely liberating pastime. It helps me to clear my mind and test myself physically. It’s also very healthy – and a healthy body leads to a healthy mind, which, in turn, leads to healthy finances!

Anyone can run, just like anyone can invest. Both require consistency and dedication; for some it’s about the finish, while others enjoy the journey. And you can do it alone or share the experience with others.

 We’re at the Comrades with our friends from the EasyEquities Born2Run Athletics Club and we’re looking forward to a few tough but enjoyable hours on the roads of KZN.

 EasyEquities and Born2Run have been partners for eight years. The club is represented in Johannesburg, Pretoria, East London and Cape Town. Born2Run sent 73 amazing athletes to this year’s Comrades… and what incredible people they are! Check out the Born2Run 2022 Comrades results:

• 8 silver - sub 7hrs30min
• 2 Isavel Roche-Kelly medals (for women under 7 hours 30 minutes)
• 15 Bill Rowan medals (under 9 hours)
• 7 Robert Mtshali medals (under 10 hours)
• 13 bronze medals (under 11 hours)
• 9 Vic Clapman medals (under 12 hours)

Nuno Thomaz, Born2Run chairman, says: “Our running clubs nationwide are thankful for the support we receive from EasyEquities. Thanks to the team for all you do for our passionate members. With your continued assistance we will go from strength to strength.”

On behalf of EasyEquities, we would like to congratulate and thank the management team (all volunteers who give so much of their time) and athletes at Born2Run. We look forward to joining you on the training runs and to the continued success of this wonderful running club.

Also on the “active outdoors” front, I am really looking forward to taking on the 13 Peaks Challenge in Cape Town, along with our resident Olympian Shaun Keeling and his wife Kate (who just became parents for the first time), Justin Pearse and his brother Rob, and our own Brad Leather. We will be guided on the trail by CN&CO’s Blake Dyason and the founder of the challenge, Ryan Sandes.

 There’s a bunch of EasyEquities 13 Peaks merch to be won, so keep an eye on our social media channels.

 The next EasyEquities running event is the Otter Trail Run, taking place in early October. EasyEquities is the main sponsor of this year’s event, which is run along the beautiful coastline of the Eastern Cape.

 I was privileged to take part last year and can’t wait to join my colleagues and friends at this year’s run. We have nearly 40 team mates participating in the Race, Challenge and Dassie events, so it promises to be extra exciting!