Comrades Runner Finds the Supporter Who Helped Her

Photo Credit: Hayley Leece via Facebook

When Hayley Leece was on the brink of giving up on her goal to finish her first Comrades Marathon, a stranger in the cheering crowd saw Hayley and demonstrated compassion that lifted her from a very dark place. Their touching encounter is the very reason Hayley has a medal today, and thanks to the power of social media, the two recently reconnected in a beautiful moment of shared humanity.

Hillcrest, South Africa (19 June 2025) – We’ve all had to endure a truly difficult challenge or period in our lives that left us on the verge of giving up until the encouragement of another gave us the strength to keep going.

For Hayley Leece, it was last week’s Comrades Marathon that made her question why she would undertake such a gruelling physical challenge when she reached the debilitating peak of “Heartbreak Hill” and completely broke down.

“I was on ‘heartbreak hill’ and completely broke down thinking I couldn’t finish.”

But in that moment, one supporter in the cheering crowd saw Hayley and, for no other reason but to stand with her during one of the hardest moments of her life, gave Hayley a reason to keep going.

“She walked with me, calmed me down and gave me lots of advice. I don’t think I would have kept going without her.”

With renewed strength and hope, Hayley pushed past her physical and emotional exhaustion with one step after the other until she reached the finish line – something Hayley doubts she could have achieved without the support of the woman who strengthened her in her moment of weakness.

Determined to find and thank the woman, Hayley reached out to the Hillcrest Villagers Athletic Club Facebook group, asking if anyone knew the woman who helped her finish the marathon, with hopes to thank her mystery supporter.

“I wanted to let her know that I finished in 11 hours, 54 minutes and 14 seconds and that I really appreciate the boost that she gave me,” Hayeley wrote.

The post soon reached the woman, Pauline Leschinsky, who responded in the comments section, saying:

“It was an absolute privilege and honour walking you up Heartbreak Hill. You are an absolute superstar – very very well done.”

Overjoyed to have connected with her guardian angel, Hayley expressed her profound thanks to Pauline for lifting her from “a really dark place”.

“I really didn’t think I had anything left. It was my first time at Comrades, I would not have this medal if it wasn’t for the support from the crowds, especially yourself! So glad I found you!”

Now, these are the moments we live for! Haley and Pauline’s encounter captures the beauty of shared humanity and illustrates how we lose nothing but gain everything from lifting one another!