a HUGE thank you

What an incredible race! Last Saturday, March 27th, a few dozen PCVs joined thousands of other entrants in the Xtrata Longtom Half (21.1km) and Ultra (56km!) Marathons that traversed the Drakensberg mountains and valleys near Sabie, Mpumalanga. For this event, the PCVs raised money for the KLM Foundation and beat the total funds raised from last year!

Believe it or not, a few dozen PCVs—with the support of friends and families back in the States—raised over $16,000 this year that will go directly to the KLM Foundation to give disadvantaged learners a chance to go to a superior school.

HATS OFF TO THE 20 OF YOU WHO DONATED! Your donations gave this PCV the top position for most funds raised this year! $1,250.00! Unbelievable, truly.

That being said, I want to sincerely thank all of you and share my genuine gratitude to those who donated. Also, a huge thank you to all of you who weren’t able to support this year, but still supported our run and this cause in your hearts and minds.

I am proud to say that I completed my first half-marathon! Before Saturday, the farthest I ever ran was 8km (5mi) and that was years ago. So, Saturday I beat my record distance by 2.5 times the length! Even up until the gun went off, I was planning on running 5km, then walking 1km, and so on. But, after that first 5km marker, I realized I had to keep going, if not for me, then for all of you, who worked so hard for the money you donated. So, I figured I could keep going for all of you and run for $625/hr. Not a bad figure to run to, right??

I’ll post more pictures later this week of my adventures at the Longtom Marathon as well as my beautiful but exhausting 40km, 2-day hike through the Fanie Botha trails in the mountains around Sabie.

Happy Easter! ◊ Salang Sentle—Stay Well