What does it look like to push your body to the absolute brink for a stranger’s smile? For Patrick Bowman, it looked like purpose and 100 kilometres of pure grit.
Cape Town, South Africa (25 March 2026) – There is a profound sense of fulfilment that comes with successfully achieving an audacious goal, especially when the true reward is realising that the victory isn’t yours alone.
Fifteen hours, one hundred kilometres and one powerful purpose later, Patrick Bowman accomplished his mission to push his physical limits at The Prom Backyard Ultra held this past Saturday.
The 25-year-old athlete set out to the Sea Point Promenade to complete a 6.7km loop every hour, on the hour, for as long as his body could allow him, to raise funds to change a life through the Smile Foundation and…
“Patrick did it. He has raised enough to fund a child’s life-changing surgery through Smile Foundation,” the organisation excitedly confirmed.
Reflecting on the gruelling race, Patrick said it started well and gradually took its toll – but was all worth it in the end.
“I felt really good throughout the day, and the support from friends and family was incredible. Thank you. As we got into the evening, my body slowly started to slow down, and my legs began giving in,” says Patrick.
“I decided to call it quits after 15 laps, 100km. I’m happy to walk away with triple digits. Ended up finishing 7th. To those that carried on, you’re machines, massive, well done.”
Through his rallying and running, Patrick raised over R30,000 – an amount that will help cover corrective reconstructive surgery for a child in need living with a cleft lip or a cleft palate condition.
“I could not be more happy. Next time I’m coming for the full 24 laps, but for now I’m putting my feet up for a bit,” the runner shared with a full heart.
Well done for going so hard, Patrick. Your victory is found in the life you’ve just changed for the better!
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