At Stepping Stone Hospice, we are blessed with a team of dedicated individuals who bring joy and care to our patients and families every day.

One such shining star is Marina Lues, who not only brings a beautiful smile to our in-patient unit in New Market, warmly welcoming families with her gentle spirit, but is also an accomplished ultramarathon runner.

Marina recently completed the Comrades Marathon over the weekend, one of the world’s largest and oldest ultramarathons, and was presented with the prestigious Vic Clapham medal on June 8. She finished the grueling run in an impressive 11hours 57 minutes and 20 seconds.

Marina’s journey to completing the Comrades Marathon was not an easy one.

“I started running in 2015, not because I loved it, but because I wanted to get fit and lose weight. After completing a half marathon in 2hrs 30min, I was hooked. However, I faced many setbacks, injuries, and disappointments along the way,” she said.

Despite trying to qualify multiple times, it wasn’t until her fourth attempt that she succeeded.

Marina’s determination and perseverance paid off, and she finally finished her first Comrades in 2022, completing the down run in 11hrs 52min over 91km.

Last year, she faced challenges but still managed to finish the up run in 11hrs 54min.

Our Stepping Stone Hospice founder and CEO, Tersia Burger, expressed her pride in Marina’s achievements and her unwavering dedication to her craft.

“We are incredibly proud of Marina’s achievements and her commitment to her patients and her passion for running. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance and determination. Her achievements also serve as an inspiration to us all. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance and determination. Her achievements also serve as an inspiration to us all,” said Tersia.