To United States Olympian Roberto Mandje, running is more than a sport.
It is a way to clear his mind, connect with people and find purpose.
Mandje, who lives in the United States (US), is currently running seven marathons across seven African countries in seven consecutive days as part of Africa 7: Run Your Purpose.
He co-founded the initiative to promote mental health, resilience and unity through sport, and Namibia is the fourth stop on his journey.
“I use running as my way to really enhance my mental health,” Mandje said during his visit to the #BeFree Youth Campus at Katutura yesterday.
He said the challenge is not only about completing seven demanding marathons, but also about using his own experience with running to encourage people to find healthy ways of taking care of their mental well-being.
Mandje said running gives him time to think, work through problems and simply be present with himself.
He often runs near the woods where he lives and does so without listening to music.
“That’s my way to work out any problem, to daydream, and in a way, that’s where some of Africa 7 was born,” he said.
He believes people have different ways of looking after their mental health, whether through running, other sport or spending time with people.
“Whatever is your source of outlet to enhance your mental health is something that should not be stigmatised,” he said.
The seven-marathon challenge has been physically and emotionally demanding, but remembering his purpose keeps him going, he said.
“With Africa 7, it’s called ‘Run Your Purpose’, and my purpose is not just running. It’s about reaching other communities and uniting people, and trying to do as much as I can with the abilities and the support I have,” he said.
His journey is also about creating connections across Africa.
Mandje said Africa 7 aims to establish relationships with organisations and individuals in different countries and learn from the work already being done in communities.
During his visit to Namibia, he praised the work of the One Economy Foundation and the #BeFree Youth Campus, saying what he witnessed was “top class”.
Mandje said he hoped the relationships established during the seven-country journey would continue long after the final marathon.
Africa 7 is therefore a journey of purpose, mental well-being, connection and discovering what can happen when running becomes a vehicle for something bigger than the finish line, he added.
