Blind ultra-athlete gears up for 750km gravel race over 7 days to raise R1m | News24
A blind ultra-athlete is preparing to take on a seven-day, 750km gravel race through the Eastern Cape to raise R1 million for his training facility for blind and visually impaired people.
This after Hein Wagner – founder of the Hein Wagner Academy and now a Nedbank Gravel Burn participant – had an unexpected interaction with race founder Kevin Vermaak that made Wagner say yes to the challenge of racing on gravel roads for the first time.
“When accidentally bumping into Kevin last year, and learning about this new gravel race, I could not help but say yes,” said Wagner.
“I love the outdoors, and the sound of a bicycle wheel on gravel always reminds me of the time I went on holiday with my parents as a child.”
He has turned it into a venture that is about more than simply testing the limits of his physical endurance.
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All the proceeds raised will be directed towards upgrading the kitchen at the Hein Wagner Academy student accommodation to make it more functional for students living on campus full-time.
The race is set to kick off on 25 October in Robert Sobukwe Town (formerly Graaff-Reinet) and end at Shamwari Private Game Reserve on 31 October.
Wagner said one of the best ways for a blind person to experience the country is on the back of a tandem.
Wagner will be cycling through the vast landscapes along the race route in tandem with his cycling partner Alwyn de Kock.
The duo has built a strong partnership that has carried them through some of the world’s toughest competitions, including the Ironman Triathlon.
Wagner describes De Kock as one of the best race partners a blind athlete could ask for, thanks to his experience across disciplines and his ability to remain calm under pressure.
On the one hand, the team aims to finish the race strong, but Wagner also aims to use this opportunity to raise awareness for his academy.
The Hein Wagner Academy was founded in 2019 after the Innovation for the Blind was forced to close its Department for Career Development at the end of 2018, following 30 years of providing training for post-matric blind and visually impaired students.
As an alumnus of the training programme, he understood the value of the services and decided to start his own facility in Worcester, South Africa.
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The academy now offers full- and part-time courses in marketing, management, and cybersecurity, as well as on-campus accommodation.
The money raised will be used to upgrade the accommodation kitchen to make it more functional for the approximately 60 students who live on campus.
He also aims to challenge what people believe is within the realm of possibility.
“I’ve dedicated my life’s work to promote the abilities of the blind; this will help to illuminate my cause. It will further shine a light on making the impossible possible,” said Wagner.
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