Toyota athletes prove ‘nothing is impossible’
They've made it
Thursday, October 9th, 2008
Establishing a world first, and proving that ‘nothing is impossible,’ the two Toyota-supported extreme athletes completed their 100-day, 3 278km endurance epic by running, hiking, swimming and paddling the equivalent of a marathon a day, six days a week.
Cheered on by excited well-wishers, they led their four Toyota support vehicles through the Farazela border post flying South African and Mozambican flags; and ended the Cipla Spar Miles for Smiles Coastal Challenge with a celebratory dip in the warm Indian Ocean where they hope to swim with dolphins tomorrow.
“I’m exhilarated and feel proud to be a South African and extremely grateful to my Maker,” Braam, a 51-year-old motivational speaker who works in youth development, said. “I’m so grateful that I was granted the opportunity to walk my talk, especially with children, proving that ‘nothing is impossible!’”
“I feel like I’ve caught my dream after chasing it so long, and now I’m going to really experience it and live it,” David, a 48-year-old celebrity chef and restaurant owner insisted. “But the achievement isn’t about what my friend Braam and I have achieved personally, but that with the backing of an amazing team and sponsors like Toyota, Cipla and Spar we have been able to make a difference.
“The fund-raising charity run will benefit Operation Smile South Africa, changing the lives of so many children forever by funding corrective surgery for youngsters with facial disfigurements.
”When we arrived at the hospital in Mt Frere recently where a number of operations were performed, I was touched by the realisation that Toyota’s commitment ran deep, with the volunteer surgeons and medical professionals transported in Toyota Quantum buses – and that in addition to our four 4x4 support vehicles.”
The Capetonian athletes were named South African adventurers of the year after the world first of running the Great Wall of China in 2006, following up with the Miles for Smiles Coastal Challenge which began in the Namibian diamond mining enclave of Oranjemund on July 1.
But both had paid a high price and had to undergo major knee operations after the China run, with surgeons insisting that their running days were over.
Within the first week of the Coastal Challenge Braam was struck by injury, tearing a muscle in his hip. “I never allowed doubt to creep in by asking those ‘what if’ questions and realised that the pain was manageable, although I did have to walk for a few days, limiting us to around 35km a day. But the walking allowed me to heal and in the last few weeks I’ve felt stronger and stronger, getting into a 45km-a-day routine.”
After swimming with the dolphins at Ponta do Ouro, Braam plans to take a slow drive home with his girlfriend, son Benjamin, and friends visiting from overseas. “I want to explore the coastline some more and return to highlights we rushed past.”
Meanwhile David is flying home to his family. “There came a time in the past week when I felt an urgent need to finish and be with my family. My daughter Jade will be four in December and my wife Liz has made such sacrifices, looking after the family and running the business.”
The 100-day adventure also posed huge challenges for the support team with crew member and 4x4 expedition guide Geoff Dalglish insisting: “My fellow adventurers were awesome in their good-natured enthusiasm, and the trio of Toyota Fortuners and Hilux double cab often played an heroic role. They lived up to all expectations under often difficult conditions, never faltering although we did suffer a number of punctures. My Fortuner D-4D ran long and hard while scouting routes, covering more than 15 000km without missing a beat.”
Visit www.milesforsmiles.co.za and www.toyota.co.za where you can click on Miles for Smiles to read more about the Coastal Challenge.
