How did a bed-ridden man run 2 200 kilometres?

It’s easy to take your body for granted when you’re young. At the age of 24, Chris Geils’ health deteriorated. He was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease that causes extreme pain. The chronic illness has no known cure. It can flare up at any time and is often debilitating. “I was so sick for such a long time that I wasn’t able to get out of bed,” Geils says. After six years of intense discomfort, he started running to regain control of his health. Realising how lucky he was to be able to move, Geils decided to race for a greater purpose.

“I became aware of how the world doesn’t cater to people who have physical challenges,” he says. Having run ultra marathons, Geils pushed his limits by completing the demanding OCAL Global Journey for Change. The 2 200-kilometre non-stop race from Pretoria to Cape Town is designed to shift perceptions of people with disabilities. “As long as I’m well enough to get out there and run, I’m going to do it,” Geils says.

This year, he participated in the 10-day run for the third time, raising R25 000 for children with disabilities in the Northern Cape. Dealing with his disease has taught Geils that life can change unexpectedly. “So I make each day count,” he says. Health isn’t guaranteed. Yet we all have the resilience to fight – for ourselves and others. “Not every day is easy,” Geils says. “But every day is definitely worth the effort.”

Footage by Samantha Lowe and Warren Papier was used in the creation of this film.