Among roadrunners who toughed out the second leg of the province’s prestigious and scenic Balwin Sports Peninsula Marathon was avid participant and Helderberg Harriers Club member Abrie Vermeulen.
The Stellenbosch resident was one of many who laced-up for the event, which took in the length of the Cape Peninsula and commenced from the Mother City on Sunday 18 February. Apart from keen runners the event, said to hit all major South African cities, saw the dedicated volunteer arm of Shincheonji Church of Jesus partner with the City of Cape Town and mobilise a team of 100 volunteers to marshal the race.
Shincheonji’s involvement in the race served as a platform to raise awareness and garner support for Sisters Incorporated, a shelter for victims of domestic violence that has provided refuge and empowerment to women and child victims for more than 60 years. Athletes from the church, alongside Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews, ran in solidarity to champion Sister Incorporated’s cause, highlighting the critical importance of combating abuse and supporting survivors.
In addition to the marathon, Shincheonji Volunteers have been actively engaged in various community-building projects, including clean-ups, soup kitchens and mobile health clinics. With the core values of unity and compassion, Shincheonji Volunteers has signed memoranda of understanding with local authorities and organisations across Cape Town and Stellenbosch, solidifying their commitment to uplift communities.
This event notably marked the first collaboration of its kind between the City of Cape Town and Shincheonji Volunteers, signalling a promising alliance for future endeavours. The volunteers’ coordinator Nic Ngcobo expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to create a meaningful impact in partnership with the City of Cape Town, underscoring the organisation’s unwavering dedication to serving humanity.
“We firmly believe that a continued collaboration between Shincheonji Volunteers and the Office of the Deputy Mayor will serve as a catalyst, propelling Cape Town to realise its dream of being the City of Hope,” said Ngcobo. “Together we are committed to fostering a community that stands as a beacon of light and hope, not just for Cape Town, but for all of South Africa.”
Having participated in representation of local running club, Vermeulen expressed that the beauty of the sport and the reason behind his participation was that the community was always coming out in support, something that is always uplifting to everybody.
