‘I will do everything in my power to cross that finish line with a rope’ – Rope runner Marissa Groenewald

KG

Keely Goodall

6 May 2025 | 14:45

She plans to skip her way to the Comrades Marathon finish line and raise R500,000 to fight human trafficking.

If you watched the Two Oceans Marathon last month, you may have spotted a competitor skipping her way through the race.

Marissa Groenwald completed the 56km ultra-marathon with her skipping rope in hand in just under 7 hours.

She is now getting ready to do it again for the almost 90km Comrades Marathon in June.

“I’ve realised through this journey - starting with a 10k then a 21k, then 42k, then Two Oceans - that you can throw anything at your body if you prepare.”
- Marissa Groenewald, rope runner
“I am going to do everything in my power to cross that finish line with a rope.”
- Marissa Groenewald, rope runner

She is currently one of the only people in the world doing long distance rope running but she does see that changing.

“We’re starting a rope running revolution!”
- Marissa Groenewald, rope runner
@roperunning What would you do if you were halfway through your ultra marathon, and you saw this? #roperunning #marathontraining #ultrarunning #runtok #southafricanrunners #girlswhorun ♬ Run - OneRepublic

This is not just a physical challenge, she is also working to raise money to fight human trafficking.

Groenewald works with an organisation called Love Justice International which aims to intercept victims of trafficking before they are harmed.

Her goal is to raise R500,000 this year which could save 200 lives.

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