25 Nov Local runners SET TO run 100km for Breast Cancer
10 SQUARED ULTRA MARATHON AIMS TO PAY FOR 25 BREAST CANCER OPERATIONS
In an unremarkable running season, a group of intrepid male Cape Town runners will be doing something special for vulnerable women.
On Sunday, 29 November these men will be attempting to each run 100km to collectively raise R100 000 for breast cancer operations. The 10 Squared Ultra Marathon is the first event of its kind, and puts aside running club and crew affiliations to join forces for this excellent cause. The men, who are a mixture of trail and road runners, are well known personalities on the local running scene and have been actively training for many weeks now in preparation for the run at month end.
Event organizer JT Slingers, who is also participating says the event is being run in support of Project Flamingo, an NPO that performs breast cancer operations for women, without medical aid, who are on long waiting lists in local government hospitals like Groote Schuur and Tygerberg. One operation costs R4000 and the group is hoping to raise enough for 25 life-saving operations.
“The beauty of the 10 Squared Ultra Marathon is that we are pooling the expertise of some of the best runners in the city who ordinarily would not be running together for one cause. I am very honoured that they accepted this invitation and are willing to put their bodies on the line for Project Flamingo, and make a difference to the lives of women who could easily be our own mothers, sisters and daughters,” says Slingers.
“We appreciate that there are many women who are very capable of finishing a 100km and outrunning many of us. By making the 100km run men only we are aiming to honour women and the unique struggles they face, especially in this month of no-violence-against women,” he concluded.
Project Flamingo celebrated its 10th birthday this year and its founder Dr Liana Roodt says lockdown has increased the waiting list for operations.
“We are working hard to clear the backlog and we have a record number of surgery lists planned for the coming few weeks,” says Dr Roodt.
“Fundraisers like 10 Squared Ultra Marathon means we will be able to help more women.”
Project Flamingo relies on surgeons, anesthetists and other medical staff to volunteer their time for a day of surgeries. The R4000 cost covers the fees for contract nursing staff and associated medical consumables.
Slingers says the runners have been fundraising hard and have already raised over R50 000 thus far but they won’t rest until they double that and meet their target.
Donations to the 10 Squared Ultra Marathon go directly into the Project Flamingo bank account. You can show your support for these Marathon Men by donating today.
Project Flamingo
Nedbank Current Account
Account number: 1046511300
Branch: 104609
Reference: 10Squared
Contact Marisa Calvert from Marisa Calvert Communications at 079 982 1732 for more information
