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The Great Run: Conquering the Sleeping Dragon Within: Life's Lessons on the Run
Everyone said it couldn't be done; even internationally renowned sports scientists such as Dr. Tim Noakes. Certainly no one had done it before, though many had to run the Great Wall of China, end-to-end, non-stop.
It would mean running a full marathon for every one of 100 days, with time off only for sickness and injury. The journey would start in the Gobi Desert, cross the jagged Tiahang Shan range, and end at the Bo Sea. It would involve blood-boiling heat and mummifying sandstorms, soul numbing mountain nights, incidents with bandits and draconian officials, pig's-head soup and large-scale environmental devastation. But no one had counted on the tenacity of South African nature lover Braam Malherbe.
In running the main intact section of the Great Wall, 4,200 kilometers end to end, Braam and his running partner David Grier set a new world record. But he would have to call on reserves far deeper – physically and emotionally – than even he realized he had. China was never going to let him off lightly; then again, it would not leave a worthy traveler unmoved or unchanged.
What began as a running away, from long-buried childhood trauma, family suffering and loss, as well as hurt felt for the state of the planet, would eventually become a journey towards inner peace and understanding. It concludes with the writer running into a new vision of healing the planet, step by small step, one person at a time. This is his story of running wild.
It would mean running a full marathon for every one of 100 days, with time off only for sickness and injury. The journey would start in the Gobi Desert, cross the jagged Tiahang Shan range, and end at the Bo Sea. It would involve blood-boiling heat and mummifying sandstorms, soul numbing mountain nights, incidents with bandits and draconian officials, pig's-head soup and large-scale environmental devastation. But no one had counted on the tenacity of South African nature lover Braam Malherbe.
In running the main intact section of the Great Wall, 4,200 kilometers end to end, Braam and his running partner David Grier set a new world record. But he would have to call on reserves far deeper – physically and emotionally – than even he realized he had. China was never going to let him off lightly; then again, it would not leave a worthy traveler unmoved or unchanged.
What began as a running away, from long-buried childhood trauma, family suffering and loss, as well as hurt felt for the state of the planet, would eventually become a journey towards inner peace and understanding. It concludes with the writer running into a new vision of healing the planet, step by small step, one person at a time. This is his story of running wild.
204 pages, Paperback
First published August 13, 2010
1 person is currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Braam Malherbe
3 books2 followersHe’s an extreme adventurer, international motivational speaker, youth developer, TV Presenter and author of the best seller “The Great Run” but most of all, he is a no-nonsense conservationist. Braam has an infectious energy that is fed by his life-long passion to protect the environment. He inspires countless others to do the same!
As an Honorary Ranger for South African National Parks, he has been involved in training rangers for counter poaching operations and co-founded the Table Mountain National Park’s Volunteer Firefighting unit in 2000 which he headed as CEO for 6 years.
For the past 15 years, Braam has worked extensively as a youth developer, facilitating outdoor leadership camps where he teaches children about their place in nature and survival skills. Through his guidance Braam empowers them to make a difference in their own lives and in the lives of others. His mottos are: “the greatest gift in life is giving” and “nothing is impossible if you have big dreams”.
In 2006, he put his conviction to the test. Against our country’s top medical and sport experts’ advice, Braam Malherbe and running partner David Grier achieved a world first by running the entire length of the Great Wall of China, a distance of 4, 218 kms, at a pace of a marathon a day for 98 days. This expedition funded the inaugural mission for Operation Smile in South Africa, an international charity organization providing corrective surgery for children born with cleft lip and cleft palate disfigurements.
Only two years later in 2008, after serious knee surgery and his doctors saying he’d never run again, Braam and David completed another world first by running a “Smile around South Africa”, following the entire coastline from Namibia to Mozambique, a distance of 3,278 kms. Through these achievements in excess of R2.5 million was raised for Operation Smile. He proved yet again, that with a great purpose and conviction, our mind can overcome all imposed limitations.
He currently presents on the SABC2 nature programme 50/50. In his series, “Get Connected with Braam”, he motivates the audience to become aware of and appreciate the connection we all have with animals and our natural world.
As one of South Africa’s most sought after motivational speakers, Braam leaves his audiences not only inspired but empowered to embracing change as a process to greater personal fulfillment.
He is taking the ongoing assault on our country’s rhino population very personally and – in line with his lifelong campaign for the preservation of our planet’s biodiversity – is heading an international crusade to protect our precious wildlife.
Braam received the prestigious Men’s Health Unsung Hero Award for 2010 and has recently been made the Woolworths “My Planet” ambassador.
As an Honorary Ranger for South African National Parks, he has been involved in training rangers for counter poaching operations and co-founded the Table Mountain National Park’s Volunteer Firefighting unit in 2000 which he headed as CEO for 6 years.
For the past 15 years, Braam has worked extensively as a youth developer, facilitating outdoor leadership camps where he teaches children about their place in nature and survival skills. Through his guidance Braam empowers them to make a difference in their own lives and in the lives of others. His mottos are: “the greatest gift in life is giving” and “nothing is impossible if you have big dreams”.
In 2006, he put his conviction to the test. Against our country’s top medical and sport experts’ advice, Braam Malherbe and running partner David Grier achieved a world first by running the entire length of the Great Wall of China, a distance of 4, 218 kms, at a pace of a marathon a day for 98 days. This expedition funded the inaugural mission for Operation Smile in South Africa, an international charity organization providing corrective surgery for children born with cleft lip and cleft palate disfigurements.
Only two years later in 2008, after serious knee surgery and his doctors saying he’d never run again, Braam and David completed another world first by running a “Smile around South Africa”, following the entire coastline from Namibia to Mozambique, a distance of 3,278 kms. Through these achievements in excess of R2.5 million was raised for Operation Smile. He proved yet again, that with a great purpose and conviction, our mind can overcome all imposed limitations.
He currently presents on the SABC2 nature programme 50/50. In his series, “Get Connected with Braam”, he motivates the audience to become aware of and appreciate the connection we all have with animals and our natural world.
As one of South Africa’s most sought after motivational speakers, Braam leaves his audiences not only inspired but empowered to embracing change as a process to greater personal fulfillment.
He is taking the ongoing assault on our country’s rhino population very personally and – in line with his lifelong campaign for the preservation of our planet’s biodiversity – is heading an international crusade to protect our precious wildlife.
Braam received the prestigious Men’s Health Unsung Hero Award for 2010 and has recently been made the Woolworths “My Planet” ambassador.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 19, 2024
There is a lot to love about this book: How committing to a worthy cause makes a persons life worthwhile; testimony of a man who is able to live closer to nature than anyone I know; a fascinating reflection on the power of the mind.
There are many more things but those would be my top three.
There are many more things but those would be my top three.
October 19, 2018
A truly inspirational account of Braam Malherbe's and David Grier's journey along the Great Wall of China. An amazing achievement and a thought provoking read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2020
Interesting and thoughtful account of the epic run along The Great Wall of China. A little more personal and memoir-esque than I cared for.
December 10, 2021
3.5 stars, actually
An entertaining read with valuable lessons on looking after planet Earth and believing in yourself
An entertaining read with valuable lessons on looking after planet Earth and believing in yourself
August 21, 2014
A surprising story of courage and determination. I had not heard of this feat from a fellow countryman, but I was moved by Malherbe's story. A real triumph over circumstances both personal and in the physical challenge of running the length of the Great Wall
January 8, 2012
Still reading the beginning of the book, I believe I may read this slowly. A vast amount of thought processing to be accomplished whilst reading his thoughts...
August 24, 2015
It was good. Probably would've enjoyed it more if I hadn't just read Marshall Ullrich's book.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews