Gordon’s Bay resident Stiaan Botha is the embodiment of resilience. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having faced stage 4 testicular and lung cancer in 2014, followed by a triple heart bypass just four years later, the avid runner has overcome health challenges that would deter most. Yet, the 55-year-old is determined to keep his running dreams alive as he completed his tenth Two Oceans half-marathon and is already training for his 11th half-marathon after a remarkable journey of recovery and perseverance.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Botha, member of Strand Athletics Club who ran two Comrades Marathons back in 2002 and 2009, attempted a return to ultra-distance running in 2018. However, his comeback was tragically cut short in the Two Oceans at Constantia Nek after five hours, leading to the discovery of a critical heart condition. “Three weeks later I had a triple heart bypass,” \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Botha recounts, reflecting on the unexpected turn his health took. The surgery presented a new set of hurdles. Botha now grapples with insufficient oxygen-rich blood flow from his lungs due to issues with his pulmonary arteries. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Currently only three of the four pulmonary arteries have stents in them. The fourth one couldn’t be opened,” he explains.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite these ongoing challenges, Botha’s spirit remains unbroken. He has faced further setbacks in his running journey, including two unsuccessful ultra attempts and a harrowing experience at the 2019 half-marathon where he ended up in ICU.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I haven’t finished two ultras and one half-marathon after ending up in ICU during the 2019 half because two-thirds of my left lung was full of blood that wasn’t being pumped back into my body. That’s when stents were placed in my pulmonary arteries,” Botha shares. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Undeterred, he is now focused on achieving a significant personal milestone as he looks back on nearly two decades of endurance running and emphasises his passion for the sport. “I hope to complete my 20th Two Oceans half-marathon,” he states determindly.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Gordon’s Bay resident Stiaan Botha is the embodiment of resilience. 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