40 min listen
Reair Celebrating the Return of Comrades!: Blanche Moila + Comrades Marathon: Inspiring Change
Reair Celebrating the Return of Comrades!: Blanche Moila + Comrades Marathon: Inspiring Change
ratings:
Length:
41 minutes
Released:
Aug 12, 2022
Format:
Podcast episode
Description
Running legend Blanche Moila shares her story, which is a strong testament to the many ways running can be a vehicle for change. Blanche, who is now in her 60s, has been inspiring others through running since she started competing in the 1980s. Blanche found her competitive running talents in her 20s and became one of South Africa’s best middle distance, cross-country, and marathon runners. Her accomplishments broke down racial barriers and, eventually, made her an inspiration throughout the country. After her elite running career, Blanche began to regularly participate in the Comrades Marathon. As of 2019, she has completed the event 16 times, and in 2004, she was the face of Comrades. Blanche, a psychiatric nurse, continues to be an inspiration to young girls and women and works to change negative beliefs about women and running. She does this by continuing to set an example with her own running, as well as public speaking, mentoring, and coaching. Also, Blanche runs Comrades for charity: in 2019, she ran for the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust. You can learn more about the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust on their website. I first learned about Blanche through Bob de la Motte’s book Runaway Comrade. Additional audio for this episode comes the 2017 Comrades Marathon Promotional Video
Released:
Aug 12, 2022
Format:
Podcast episode
Titles in the series (100)
Ann Ashworth + Comrades Marathon: What It Takes: South African Ann Ashworth had developed into a very good runner and had a passion for long-distance running, especially her country’s crown jewel, the 90-kilometer Comrades Marathon. Over time, she recognized that she just might have the talent and drive necessary to be among the top competitors at the race. This episode follows Ann’s journey of discovering competitive running in her youth all the way through to seizing her moment at Comrades in 2018. Ann’s story is one of hard work and dedication, overcoming and never, ever letting up. Through heartbreaking disappointment, painful injuries, and financial sacrifice, Ann remained firm in her focus to vie for the top spot at this race that she holds such deep passion for: “It’s not just a running race for me,” Ann says. “It’s a deeply spiritual experience, and it’s something that makes me feel insanely patriotic. It’s just an incredibly special race for me.” This episode is part of our by Women's Running Stories