AfricanX Chad Meihuizen
After losing his father to the dreaded disease of Alzheimer’s in 2011, local model turned sports enthusiast Chad Meihuizen has dedicated the next three years of his life to raising funds for the inspirational cause, Alzheimer’s South Africa. Meihuizen’s campaign will be focused on event participation, his first event being the ProNutro AfricanX Trailrun presented by New Balance in Kleinmond the weekend of 16 – 18 March 2012.
According to Meihuizen there are more than 36 million people with dementia worldwide and the number will rise to over 115 million by 2050. “With so many people affected, it’s time dementia was recognized as a global health priority. My goal is to compete in a minimum of two multi-stage ultra-marathons a year. By participating in the ProNutro AfricanX Trailrun I mainly hope to raise awareness around Alzheimer’s. If just one person hears about Alzheimer’s SA, then I’ll be a happy man. I wish I knew about this charity while my father was still alive. The support, comfort and knowledge provided by Alzheimer’s SA truly is a blessing,” says Meihuizen.
“I heard about the AfricanX from a close friend who did the race last year,” continues Meihuizen. “At the time I thought he was mad and I couldn’t understand why anyone would want to participate in a race like this. Now, a year later, I don’t understand why everyone doesn’t participate in a race like this. I’ve heard that it’s a tough event, but extremely rewarding. That’s what I’m looking for, that finish line experience, accepting a challenge, training for it and giving it my all for the full three day period. I’ll be teaming up with a very good friend, Ryan Anley. Although Ryan and I have always been close, running has brought us closer. We are very different runners, but we complement each other well. I’m controlled, constantly thinking about the route ahead whereas Ryan or the “Whippet” as I like to call him, if I don’t rein him in, he’ll either win the race or burn himself out. I might set him loose on day three and do my best to keep up with him. There won’t be a podium finish for us, but we sure will give it our all”.
The ProNutro AfricanX Trailrun presented by New Balance is a team event. Teams of two (male/female/mixed) will be seen battling it out on a route varying in distance between 25-35km each day. The three routes have been planned in such a way that the participants will have the opportunity to tackle a different breathtaking scenic route each day, allowing them to enjoy the full diversity of the world-renowned Kogelberg Biosphere. This awe-inspiring trail run stage race will follow a cloverleaf format, which means that runners will finish in Kleinmond on each of the three days. Their accommodation, meals and entertainment will remain in the same place for the duration of the race.
DATE: 16, 17 and 18 March 2012
FORMAT: Three-day stage race / teams of two (male/female/mixed)
VENUE: Starting & ending in and around Kleinmond (Western Day) each day
DISTANCE: Day 1: approximately 35km
Day 2: approximately 35km
Day 3: approximately 25km
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