A 466km Run in 64 Hours Honouring Nelson Mandela and Breaking the Silence on Mental Health
A 466km Run in 64 Hours Honouring Nelson Mandela and Breaking the Silence on Mental Health
This July, a team of endurance runners led by Mental Health activist and Brooks Running ambassador Stu Rayner will take on a remarkable challenge: running 466 kms over 64 continuous hours along Durban’s beachfront promenade.
The event, called Journi 46664, aims to raise both awareness and funds for the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) while honouring the powerful legacy of Nelson Mandela.
From 2 July at 17:00 to 5 July at 09:00, the team will run a 7.3 km loop from the harbour entrance to just before Mini Town and back, completing continuous laps day and night.
The four-person team, including Stu Rayner and three other runners, will base themselves at the NSRI station, who have generously offered their support and space for the duration of the challenge.
“I spent years trapped in my own mind, dealing with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Anxiety,”
says Stu Rayner, Founder of Journi.
“Running gave me a way out. Journi 46664 is not just about distance, it’s about resilience, love, and showing South Africans, they are not alone.”
The number 46664 was Nelson Mandela’s prison number and has since become a global symbol of activism and humanitarianism.
With July marking both Nelson Mandela Month and South Africa’s National Mental Health Awareness Month, the run is a timely call to action: a celebration of resilience, a tribute to Madiba, and a way to shine a light on the silent battle many face.
This run also marks the official launch of Journi, a national initiative born out of the successful Run for Rosa campaign. Journi is a Mental Health-driven running hub committed to shining light on Anxiety and Depression through movement, support, and human connection.
How you can support:
• Run a lap with the team.
• Cheer them on from the promenade
• Donate to the campaign via BackaBuddy
• Follow the journey on Instagram
Whether you join for one loop or support from afar, every step counts in the fight against Anxiety and Depression.
