My journey into endurance sports didn’t stem from a childhood filled with athletic accolades. Growing up in South Africa, I was active, but never the standout athlete. It was in my mid-20s, seeking to shed some weight and carve out a hobby that was truly mine, that I found my stride.

Initially, my goal was simple: to complete a 5km run without stopping. I still remember finishing that first parkrun and beaming as I stopped my watch. That milestone was more than just physical; it was a mental breakthrough.

As I became more disciplined and my confidence grew, I found myself drawn to challenges that tested my limits. Yet, as I lined up at the start line for more endurance races, the lack of diversity became very apparent to me – especially the lack of black women.  

This realisation was further compounded by the reactions I received off the track. Encountering narrow-minded attitudes is a stark reminder of the diversity gap in endurance sports. Conversations often reveal this bias. For instance, when I share my racing achievements, I’m met with microaggressions like ‘but have you trained for it?’ or ‘wow, I would never have guessed!’