Run 100km in Mielies' shoes

KNYSNA NEWS - Local runner and captain of the Knysna Marathon Club, Melikhaya Msizi, is planning to embark on a special 100km run as part of a school shoe drive for underprivileged children in and around Knysna.

Mielies, as he is affectionately known in local running circles, has been a runner in Knysna for just over a decade and is well known within the running fraternity for his exploits on both road and trails.

He has completed two Comrades marathons and a best performance of just over seven hours earned him a silver medal in 2019.

His most outstanding feat of human attrition came last year though, when he took on the PE Backyard Ultra.

Here, Mielies completed a 6,7km loop around 3 Rivers Trails once every hour for 26 hours, totalling a distance of 174,2km. It was the furthest he'd ever run in one event, and was a remarkable feat.

However, he will soon be aiming to achieve a remarkable feat of a different nature - changing the lives of young schoolchildren for the better by donating school shoes to those most in need. Mielies has elected to do this via a run he has planned for 12 February, when he will set off from Knysna and complete 100km.

"I'm just doing it for less privileged children because in my running career there have been and still are people helping, supporting, and sponsoring me with running gear and race entries, so I wanted to give back to the community," Mielies said.

He chose the 100km distance as it poses a challenge for him, and also aligns perfectly with his idea of collecting R100 per pair of shoes.

He also encourages people to join him on the day. "Yes, anyone is welcome to join me and run some of the route with me, I will need that support," he said.

While the route is not yet finalised, he will set off from Knysna. Mielies has already seen some support for the initiative, but is aiming for much more. "My target is to get at least 100 pairs of school shoes."

For those interested in making donations or getting involved in Mielies' campaign, you can contact him on 082 625 0693.

Melikhaya Msizi at the 2021 PE Backyard Ultra. Photo: Blake Linder