“I’m good, I’m blessed, I can do something,” echoes within the hallways of the Ocean View Secondary Faculty after Denver van den Bergh delivered a motivational restoration discuss there.
Going to colleges is a part of the Group Outreach programmes his Serenity Strides Basis runs. Actually runs. That’s what this man does. However not from his issues anymore. That he solidly confronted 5 years in the past.
Born and raised on the Cape Flats Denver didn’t consider dependancy as a foul alternative – however a pure escape.
“Within the midst of gangs and bullying I dimmed my gentle. I began to fake to be much less intelligent: The beginning of a downward spiral.”
From downward spiral to Serenity Strides
Clearly seeing the connection between consuming, dropping hope, gangsterism and gender primarily based violence Denver now is aware of this dependancy just isn’t a person battle. “It weaves itself into every day life, fuelling anger into violent crime, household breakdown and gender-based violence. Ladies and kids are essentially the most weak when alcohol and medicines makes its path of destruction via properties.”
Dwelling inside that actuality for 25 years, is what now makes Denver give attention to the “boy little one”.
However not solely by digging trenches of reality of their minds, Serenity Strides additionally organises hikes and outings.
“We take youngsters out of their hectic day-to-day surroundings to present them some tranquility.”
From Dependancy to Endurance
Restoration begins with one second. Somebody reaching out a hand, and a choice to take it. That second modified every little thing for me. Step-by-step I started rebuilding: Returning to training, incomes my diploma, repairing relationships, and discovering one thing that may reshape my life fully – endurance working.
“Working turned greater than a sport. It turned a type of therapeutic, self-discipline, and goal. It gave me a option to remodel ache into one thing significant.”
Final yr, Denver’s basis completed an astonishing feat. He ran roughly 1,680 kilometres from Cape City to Durban, after which accomplished the Comrades Marathon.
Supporters tracked him on Strava seeing him smash marathon after marathon distance (and the blisters on his ft) every day. He didn’t do it for competitors or private achievement – however to boost consciousness round dependancy and gender-based violence.
Consciousness he rose, and likewise funds to extra of R50 000 for the Ramot Remedy Centre for Substance Abuse in Cape City – the place took the primary steps to full restoration.
The symbolic and intentional smile being traced by Denver’s runs. Picture: Denver van den Bergh
From Restoration to Resilience
Now plainly this extraordinary achievement was solely priming his working engine. His subsequent plan is to run from Cape City to Namibia to finish the Desert Extremely Marathon. When tracing his earlier path to Durban and including this one a symbolic smile seems throughout South Africa. Symbolic and intentional.
As a result of a smile is what Denver and his basis is aiming to unfold each strides he takes.
Like at this weekend’s Two Oceans Marathon – which he did in a good time of 05:28.
Watch him preparing right here to run a smile up your face.
