Imagine being able to make a difference to the life of a child with every step you take? That is exactly what Pietermaritzburg-based NPC, the Southern Lodestar Foundation, is hoping to achieve with their ‘One Run. One Life’ initiative.
Set to be piloted at the 2018 Karkloof 100-miler, KZN’s premier 100-mile ultra-marathon, taking place on the 21-23 September, the initiative will enable runners taking on the ultra-distance to make a positive impact on the life of primary school children at the same time. Just by entering the 100-mile event, each participant will indirectly feed a child at Khipinkunzi Primary School in St Lucia (Dukuduku District), Northern KZN, for seven years – the duration of their primary school journey and the most important phase of growth and development in a young child’s life.
So, for every runner, that’s an average of 1820 meals for one child over the course of seven years. With over a hundred runners set to take part in the 100-miler, the projected reach of ‘One Run. One Life’ project is vast.
The first of its kind in South Africa, the project hopes to kick-start a movement within the country’s running community, affording ordinary people the opportunity to make a difference just by doing what they love, running.
Founded in 2017 with the objective of improving health awareness with an emphasis on promoting a healthy lifestyle through nutrition and sport, along with striving to eradicate malnutrition, the Southern Lodestar Foundation, powered by Millhouse – a leading supplier of customised quality vitamin and mineral blends for the food industries in Africa - believes that a solid nutritional foundation from a young age is key to a healthy and successful future. All three founders of the Foundation, Andre Redinger (47), Matt Dove (34) and Robert Graham (47) are passionate ultra-marathon runners, having competed in some of the world’s toughest events. Through running, their aim is to inspire a generation of young South Africans to understand the importance of proper nutrition and to see running as a tool to change their lives for the better.
“The ‘One Run. One Life’ project is a means to deliver this objective,” explains Matt Dove.
“In the same way a child needs the correct nutrition as they grow in order to keep going and do the best they can do, to flourish and be the best they can be; so too does a runner attempting an extreme distance like 100-miles, need determination, motivation and a purpose to keep going and do the best they can do. We’re hoping ‘One Run. One Life’ becomes their purpose and inspires each runner to dig deeper and go one step further by giving them an opportunity to change someone else’s life,” says Dove.
With the roll-out of ‘One Run. One Life’ at the Karkloof100 just days away, Karkloof 100 co-race director, Andrew Booth of KZN Trail Running says: “Karkloof 100 is incredibly proud to be a part of this initiative. Running in our country is driven by people with big hearts and we know they’re going to get behind ‘One Run. One Life’ with the same amount of energy and enthusiasm they put into running.”
“Our partnership with the Southern Lodestar Foundation is still in its infancy but we see huge potential to assist them with the incredible work they already do and their future plans to inspire change throughout Southern Africa,” added Booth.
Spectators are welcome to show their support for runners taking on the 100-mile challenge this weekend as the route has many great viewing points such as Benvie Gardens, Yard 41 in Howick and 11 Karkloof. For more information about the race visit www.karkloof100.co.za.