Theresa Parsraman, a Fish Hoek-based accountant, will participate in the 97th edition of the iconic 86 km Comrades Marathon on June 9th. She will run in memory of her dear friends Kim Potter, Dr. Gaelle Ramon, and Dr. Cyrill Walters, while raising funds for the Spirit Education Foundation, a cause close to their hearts.
Theresa met her running companions through various connections over the years. Cyrill, a long-time supporter of the Spirit Education Foundation, introduced Theresa to Gaelle. Kim and Theresa became friends while working together at BDO Spencer Steward, bonding over their shared passion for running.
Tragically, the recent passing of these three remarkable women has deeply affected Theresa. To honour their memory and continue their legacy of supporting education, she has dedicated her Comrades Marathon journey to raising funds for the Spirit Education Foundation.
Saskia Wiese, the programme facilitator at the Spirit Education Foundation, expressed the organisation’s profound sadness at the loss of Cyrill, who was a keynote speaker at their annual awards ceremony and a passionate advocate for their mentorship and scholarship programmes.
Known for her adventurous spirit, Theresa loved challenges, completing her first Comrades Marathon in 2023. This year, she will take on the back-to-back race, determined to have her friends by her side in spirit as she runs to support a cause that was close to their hearts.
“I am adventurous and love a challenge, but I love my friends even more,” Theresa shared. “Last year, Cyrill, Gaelle, and Kim were my greatest supporters, cheering me on from their homes as I ran my first Comrades. This year, I hope they will be with me in spirit as we run to raise funds for a cause close to their hearts.”