Asgar Dalvie and Muhammad Sanglay will be donning a two-man car costume, called Bokkie, to take on the Cape Town Marathon on May 24, in an attempt to break the Guinness World Records title for the fastest marathon completed in such a costume. The duo aims to raise the remaining R19,000 needed to fully fund one SPCA inspectorate vehicle’s annual fuel costs, as part of their fundraising efforts for the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.
The SPCA currently spends R42,000 a year on fuel costs for its inspectorate vehicle, and the duo has already raised more than R23,000 towards the target. According to the SPCA, the non-profit investigates more than 10,000 animal cruelty complaints annually across a service area spanning approximately 3,200 square kilometers. Every cruelty investigation, rescue, confiscation, and emergency response depends on Inspectorate vehicles reaching animals in need.
Training and Preparation
Dalvie, from Rondebosch East, said they have spent months training for the marathon. ‘There was sweat. There was chafing. There was a lot of gas being passed, and unfortunately, none of it was the kind that gets SPCA Inspectors to a rescue. So we figured we’d better actually finish the marathon and raise the real fuel,’ he said. Sanglay, from Lansdowne, who runs at the back of Bokkie, has a slightly different perspective. ‘Asgar’s up front, so he’s technically the driver. He drives Bokkie the way Capetonians handle a four-way stop; confidently, incorrectly, and with full eye contact,’ he said.
As explained on the Guinness World Records website, record attempts must meet specific guidelines and requirements. The duo’s attempt will be closely monitored to ensure they meet these requirements.
Impact of the Fundraiser
SPCA spokesperson, Belinda Abraham, said, ‘What Asgar and Mo are doing may look humorous from the outside, but the impact is very real.’ Abraham said every rand they raise helps keep their Inspectors on the road. ‘That road leads directly to animals experiencing cruelty, suffering, neglect, and distress. Operational funding is one of the greatest pressures facing animal welfare organisations, and initiatives like this genuinely help us continue responding where we are needed most,’ she said.
Members of the public are encouraged to support the fundraiser and cheer the runners on along the route. To learn more about the Cape of Good Hope SPCA and their efforts, visit their official website.
- The Cape Town Marathon will take place on May 24.
- The duo aims to raise R19,000 for the SPCA inspectorate vehicle’s annual fuel costs.
- The SPCA investigates over 10,000 animal cruelty complaints annually.
