Under the cloud covered humid skies of East London, three generations of women from one family laced up their running shoes and shared more than just kilometres on the road, they shared legacy, strength and an unbreakable bond.
Marlene van Wyk, her daughter Samantha Kemp, and granddaughter Bridget Kemp took on the Surfers 10km together over the weekend, turning an ordinary race into an extraordinary celebration of family, resilience and the power of women moving forward, side by side, stride for stride, across generations.
Hailing from Nahoon, the trio are no strangers to the coastline that framed Saturday’s event.
Having lived in East London all their lives, the family grew up on the beach, with the annual Surfers race becoming a cherished tradition for locals.
“The vibe was great with loud music encouraging runners to enjoy this magnificent event on the sand, with the sea breeze assisting,” said Van Wyk.
“The excitement pulsing through our veins, with a bit of trepidation — not much can compare to this feeling.”
For the women, the goal was simple yet meaningful: to run well, avoid injury and finish comfortably in the middle of the field.
It was a target all three achieved, from the youngest — Bridget to Samantha, with Van Wyk proudly following behind her children across the finish line.
“We believe a certain amount of fitness is required to prevent injury and painful muscles the next day,” she said, emphasising the importance of preparation and pacing.
For Samantha, the experience of sharing the course with both her mother and daughter was deeply personal.
“Running the Surfers at the same time as my mother and daughter was really something special, although we did not run together,” Kemp said.
“I’ve grown up in a sporting family and don’t know anything else. Training is difficult, but I also walk three dogs, this definitely helps with fitness.”
She said what stood out most during the race was the camaraderie among runners and the refreshing sea breeze along the route.
While Samantha would gladly take part again, she admitted it may not necessarily become a long-standing tradition.
Bridget, the youngest of the trio, echoed the sentiment of pride and emotion, despite starting from different positions on the course.
“We did not run together, we started from different positions,” she said.
“I loved running past my gran and waving encouragement, like she did for me years ago.”
Though she felt fairly nervous at the start, Bridget soon found her rhythm.
The most challenging aspect, she said, was navigating the hidden big stones buried beneath the sea sand, an unpredictable obstacle that tested focus and footing.
Running is already woven into the fabric of their daily lives.
Samantha is a regular runner who trains for fitness and wellbeing, while Bridget, a dedicated hockey player, complements her training with crossfit to build strength and endurance.
For Van Wyk, the experience was as much about family unity as it was about physical challenge.
The humid conditions may have tested the runners’ resolve, but for this Nahoon family, the race symbolised far more than kilometres conquered.
It was about showing up for one another, proving that strength can span generations, and demonstrating that the road, or in this case, the sand, is always better travelled together.
As locals will attest, the Surfers race is more than just a sporting event; it is a celebration of community spirit along East London’s beloved shoreline.
And on Saturday, three women ensured it was also a celebration of family, bound not only by blood, but by determination, discipline and a shared love for the run.
