As the noonday sun scorched the tarred roads of Qumbu in the Eastern Cape, Denver van der Bergh pressed on—another 57 kilometres down, bringing his total to 1,262km on foot. His destination? Pietermaritzburg. His mission? Redemption.
He’s averaging close to 50km a day on a gruelling 35-day, 1,680km journey from Cape Town to KwaZulu-Natal. Along the way lie the punishing Eastern Cape hills, the green valleys of KwaZulu-Natal, and, ultimately, the legendary 89km Comrades Marathon on June 8.
But this is no ordinary ultramarathon. This is the Serenity Run—a pilgrimage of pain, purpose, and healing. For Denver, every step is a declaration: I am not who I once was.
From the Cape Flats to the Brink
Denver’s journey didn’t begin on a road, but in the shadows of addiction.
Growing up in the Cape Flats, a place where survival often overshadows success, Denver’s early life was riddled with trauma.
I got robbed on the way to church as a kid,” he recalls. “I blamed myself when my grandfather died. I lost faith in life, in God, and in myself.
His escape was alcohol—followed by drugs. What started as weekend binges spiralled into a 25-year descent.
I tried to stop, but I couldn’t. That’s when I realised it wasn’t a habit. It was a prison.
The stigma was as suffocating as the addiction.
My parents were respected in church. I stayed silent. I thought I’d bring them shame. But addiction isn’t about shame—it’s about untreated pain.
At his lowest, Denver attempted to end his life. The turning point came when a compassionate employer offered him a choice: face disciplinary action or accept help.
Recovery and the Spark of Hope
In 2020, Denver entered the Ramot Treatment Centre in Parow. What he found there wasn’t judgment—but understanding.
It was nothing like I expected. In rehab, I finally saw I wasn’t alone. I wasn’t broken. I just needed help.
Among therapy sessions and morning walks, the seed of recovery was planted. He began to forgive himself. He started to believe in the possibility of a life beyond addiction.
One moment stood out: discovering the Serenity Prayer.
It taught me to let go of what I couldn’t control. That’s why this is the Serenity Run. That prayer saved my life.
Finding Strength in Stride
It began simply—with light jogs around the recovery complex.
We’d race each other for fun. That competitive fire I had in school came back.
Soon, running became more than a hobby. It became his ritual, his medicine. From the Rondebosch Common to the Two Oceans, to the Comrades—it was a path toward healing.
This year, to mark five years of sobriety, Denver set out on his most ambitious journey yet.
The Serenity Run: Cape Town to Comrades
On May 1, 2025, he departed from Rondebosch Common. His goal: arrive in Pietermaritzburg in time to run the 98th Comrades Marathon on June 8.
Each day he covers up to 78km on foot. No rest days. Just relentless forward motion. Blistered feet. Sunburned skin. Aching legs. But a fire that won’t go out.
This isn’t just about distance. It’s about dignity. It’s about showing that recovery is possible. That we’re not write-offs.
Running with Purpose
The Serenity Run is also a fundraiser for the Ramot Treatment Centre—the same place that helped Denver recover. Through his BackaBuddy campaign, he’s aiming to raise R500,000 to support others still trapped in addiction.
His running club, Celtic Harriers, has pledged R10 for every kilometre. Others have joined in support. His story is starting to ripple.
The Man Beyond the Miles
Today, Denver is a different man.
He earned his business degree cum laude, works at a top investment firm, and serves as an advocate for mental health and addiction recovery.
There’s so much life after addiction. I’m at peace. I’m happy. I’m never going back.
More Than a Marathon
His journey ends not with the Serenity Run, but with the Comrades Marathon, where he’ll chase a back-to-back medal after running across the entire country to get there.
For many runners, the final stretch of Comrades is an unrelenting wall. But for Denver, it’s familiar territory.
I’ve lived inside that wall. I’ve learned how to push through.
At the 2023 Two Oceans Marathon, when pain nearly forced him to stop, a fellow runner’s sarcastic jab became fuel.
He asked if I regretted signing up. And I realised—I didn’t. I wasn’t running away anymore. I was running towards something.
A Call to Compassion
In a world that often writes off people struggling with addiction, Denver van der Bergh’s story is a quiet revolution.
He reminds us that addiction isn’t a moral failure—it’s a response to pain. And recovery isn’t just possible. It’s powerful.
We need compassion, not judgment. Addicts don’t need shame. They need support. There’s always a way back.
As Denver closes in on his finish line, one thing is clear: this isn’t just a run. It’s a resurrection.
