Although Evelina and Zuki have established themselves in the running world, they are perhaps even better known for their quest to ascend the Seven Summits, the highest mountains on each of the continents as part of a groundbreaking project called Isicongo.

This project will see Evelina, great friends and fellow runners, Zuki Matamo and Nomawethu Nika, travelling the world, tackling some of the highest mountains and becoming the next South African sporting icons. So far they have conquered Kilimanjaro, Aconcaqua and Mount Elbrus. They aim to summit each of these peaks by the end of 2008 – ending at Everest.

"We're very excited about our participation in the Cape Odyssey. We've been training really hard, and have worked on our game plan." says Zuki Matamo.

Evelina adds, "The Isicongo project has taught us a lot and will definitely help us during the Cape Odyssey. Our personal trainer, Louise Clamp, will also be participating, which makes the event incredibly special for us. Don't forget – running is my first love! Zuki and I support each other and keep it together. Although we know that the Odyssey will be very demanding and a tough challenge, we're ready."

According to Kevin Vermaak, director of the Cape Odyssey and Absa Cape Epic, races have traditionally been one-day affairs, but now athletes have a chance to test their endurance, not only over many kilometres, but over a number of days too. "The race concept of the Cape Odyssey is similar to that of the Absa Cape Epic and the first of its kind in South Africa. Runners compete in teams of two and must stick together at all times or risk a time penalty.

"The Cape Odyssey symbolises the essence of what trail running across the globe has come to stand for – a fresh challenge to both amateur and professional runners. Participation qualifies what it means to be a true sportsman as the tough and grueling course will challenge every inch of mental and physical strength," Vermaak said.

Evelina Tshabalala
Evelina was born on a farm near Harrismith where her family had been farm workers for four generations. At the age of 17, Evelina became a domestic worker in Durban.

In 1985, when she turned 20, Evelina made two of the biggest and most important decisions of her life: she moved to Cape Town and she began running. She remembers the first day she ran competitively: "I ran a 10km race in Sea Point and later that day, I ran another 5km race in Pinelands. I won them both."

Inspired to start training as a marathon runner by South African sporting icon Zola Budd, a barefoot Evelina astounded her peers and her trainer, by winning her first two races on the same day. For almost 20 years whilst working as a cleaner, first at Pick 'n Pay and then at Spar, Evelina never stopped running. She continued her training even after the birth of her second son, Emmanuel.

In 1994, Evelina realised a life-long dream and ran the London marathon where she finished in a remarkable 25th position. Surviving a car accident in 1997 and the tragic death of her son Emmanuel in 2003, her ability to transform tragedy into energy and focus carried Evelina to where she is now – poised to be the first black woman to summit Everest.

Zuki Matamo
Born in East London, Zuki moved between King Williams Town and East London during her school years, living with her parents or her uncle.

Straight after school, Zuki left the Eastern Cape and moved to Cape Town where she met her then-husband. In 1996, they had their first daughter and two years later another baby girl. In 2003, Zuki had her third child, this time it was a boy.

After his birth, Zuki said she gained a lot of weight. "I went from being very small, to weighing 106 kilograms. I spent two years struggling with my weight until, eventually, I decided it was time to lose it. So, in 2003 I began walking for exercise," says Zuki. Living in Llandudno at the time and working as a domestic worker, Zuki walked 2km before work everyday. After a month, she stepped up the pace and began to run very slowly.

When the neighbours noticed Zuki running every day, a few of them suggested she meet Evelina Tshabalala who worked at the Spar in Hout Bay. Evelina was well-known amongst the locals for her success as a marathon runner. Zuki took their advice and tracked her down. On their first training day together, Evelina took Zuki on a 20km run.

"After that run I decided I never wanted to see Evelina again. I kept looking at her and thinking, I'm never running with you again," says Zuki. Nevertheless, her friend convinced her to keep training and pushed her a little further every day.

Eventually Zuki was running marathons and within 18 months Zuki had achieved her initial goal and had shed 42kg. As happy as she was about her weight loss, her overriding drive to shed the pounds had already been replaced with a determination to succeed as an athlete.