Lentswe, Klerksdorp - Eddie Makhetha, a member of the local marathon club, travelled to Sweden to participate in one of the world’s most unique marathons - it is run underground.
Some 55 runners lined up on Saturday October 25 for an extraordinary challenge: to run the deepest marathon ever run. Makhetha was one of five South African mining professionals who took part. Covering 42.2km within the Garpenberg Zinc Mine in Sweden, they descended to a staggering depth of 1 120 metres below sea level. No one attempted a marathon at this depth before. Participants endured temperatures of up to 30°C, in total silence and ran in complete darkness with only their head torches for light.
The event raised over $1-million for the BecomingX Foundation and the Wild at Heart Foundation, and showcased the resilience of the human spirit and the innovation of the modern mining sector.
This pioneering event was hosted by Boliden, owners of Garpenberg Mine.
As one of the world’s safest mining companies, Boliden ensured that safety remained paramount.
Runners were equipped with personal protective equipment and had access to rescue chambers, adhering to stringent protocols designed to protect them in this unique subterranean environment.
Eddie finished in 4 hours 13 minutes and said the biggest challenge was the heat.
