“People have enough to live by but nothing to live for. They have the means but no meaning.” – Viktor E. Frankl. This quote, taken from one of Lara Kruiskamp’s favourite authors, encapsulates the catalyst that set this athlete running marathons on all seven continents of the world, in 11 months.
“People have enough to live by but nothing to live for. They have the means but no meaning.” – Viktor E. Frankl. This quote, taken from one of Lara Kruiskamp’s favourite authors, encapsulates the catalyst that set this athlete running marathons on all seven continents of the world, in 11 months.
“I guess it was just a case of going from a materialistic, superficial life to a fulfilled one,” the Lesotho-raised brunette bubbled over her berry smoothie.
It wasn’t just her smile that was infectious; the passion with which she spoke about her goals was inspiring.
Uprooted from her job and life in Johannesburg, it was in Ballito, 2012, when, said Kruiskamp, “I had this vision of a puzzle. The pieces were all there but some were bent out of shape and there were gaping holes in the puzzle. God said this was South Africa and that we (South Africans) had the tools to restore our country, we just have to rebuild it one piece at a time.”
The last five words form the motto of her organisation, Restore SA. As its founder, she committed to running marathons to raise funds for orphaned and underprivileged kids in South Africa.
The freckle-faced firecracker flipped though folders of footage; videos of the LIV orphan village that inspired her to start planning one for Grahamstown. She crooned over the video clips of children running through the football fields of their new home. She marvelled at the foster mothers’ selfless sacrifice and unconditional devotion to the kids. “When God lays something on your heart, you can’t rest until you’ve succeeded,” said Kruiskamp.
The former cricketer and wicketkeeper for Natal between 1971 and 1984,Tich Smith, built the village, just outside of Durban, mostly from government support and Kruiskamp decided to don trainers, attach our national flag to her running kit, and forge a trail for further fundraisers to follow.
“I wasn’t that much of a runner in high school,” she said. Brushing off 100m and 200m sprint successes still sculpted into her lean frame and defined muscles, the DSG alumnus reminisced about races on the Rhodes athletics track, trained by Lynn Obeholzer.
Commenting on her training regime, she said, “I don’t pay much attention to what I eat until about a week before I run.” This diet includes the well-deserved steak, chips and all the trimmings, and the toast and peanut butter she has before she sets out on a 42km adventure.
But nothing could have adequately prepared the amateur athlete for the adventure she began in April 2013 dedicated is to serving the disadvantaged in South Africa.
Since then, the magnanimous volunteer has ventured through Vienna, climbed over 5000 of the Great Wall of China’s steps, experienced the Inca Trail and run through the streets of Sydney, among other expeditions. “Sydney; this functional, slick, new age city has a population to match the number of orphans we have in South Africa. We have the whole of Sydney, as orphans, in our country.”
Said Kruiskamp, “Listen to what your conscience commands you to do. You will live to see that in the long-run—(literally) in the long-run, —success will follow you.”
Frankl’s book, Man’s Search for Meaning, prompted the journey Kruiskamp took across the world.
“It hasn’t been easy,” she said and spoke of a particularly challenging marathon in Lesotho which threatened her mission. “I just remind myself why I’m doing this and the circumstances become irrelevant. It’s just a matter of loving your neighbour; stepping out a little further to help them,” she said.
Calling on those compassionate enough to make a change, Kruiskamp is organising fun runs and walks for those willing to raise funds for the orphan village in Grahamstown. “You don’t have to be a marathon runner either. Just take it a step at a time and you’ll be amazed and what you can achieve, not only for yourself but for someone else. And working towards something, trying (to do something) for someone, will give your life great meaning,” she said.
Kruiskamp joins the Seven Continents Club, an impressive list of athletes who have run marathons on all continents of the globe. Other South Africans include Angelo Henry, Charles Stewart, Dimitri Kavallineas, Harry Botha, Patricia Crawley, Mark Duncan, Owen Skae, Rob Jackson, Rory Steyn, Steve Camp and Salvatore Puglia.
One step at a time
Lara Kruiskamp’s marathons include:
- 14 April 2013: Vienna Marathon (Europe)
- 18 May 2013: Great Wall of China Marathon (Asia)
- 14 July 2013: Victoria Falls Marathon (Africa)
- 15 August 2013: Inca Trail Marathon (South America)
- 22 September 2013: Sydney Marathon (Australia)
- 3 November 2013: New York Marathon (North America)
- 10 March 2014: Antarctica Marathon (Antarctica)
