At 75, most people slow down, but not Iain Buchan. The founder of The Unlimited and The Unlimited Child, alongside his daughter and Chairperson of The Unlimited Child, Wallis Watt and son-in-law, Ken Watt, is gearing up to tackle one of the world’s most extreme challenges: the Antarctic Ice Marathon on the 13th of December 2024.
Their goal? To raise awareness for The Unlimited Child, a non-profit organisation revolutionising Early Childhood Development (ECD) across Southern Africa and beyond.
A Mission Close to the Heart
For Wallis, Iain and Ken, this is more than a race. It’s a call to action for the world to invest in the youngest generation. “The harsh reality is that there are millions of children, not only in South Africa but worldwide, who lack access to quality early childhood education,” says Wallis. “If we fail to act with urgency – individually and as a society—the long-term consequences will be profound. Without the right education and stimulation in those critical early years, children lose opportunities that cannot be reclaimed later. No matter how dedicated teachers are, they cannot fully bridge the gaps left in those formative years. Every child deserves a strong foundation to thrive and succeed.”
Since its inception in 2009, The Unlimited Child has made incredible strides. To date, the programme has impacted over 2 million children in South Africa, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and even Yemen. With 12,431 practitioners trained and 5,834 ECD centres empowered through training, resources, and ongoing support, the organisation is proving that transformative, lasting change starts with quality early education.Yet, for the Buchan family, this is only the beginning.“While we’ve achieved so much through The Unlimited Child, under the leadership of CEO Candice Potgieter, we’ve only scratched the surface. Every child deserves the chance to reach their full potential, and global awareness is a key part of making this a reality,” emphasises Wallis.
A Family of Adventurers
This isn’t the first time the family has pushed their limits. Earlier this year, Wallis and Ken completed the Comrades Marathon. In 2015, Iain and his sons, Zack and Barney, together with Ken, climbed Mt Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica.The Antarctic Ice Marathon poses a challenge like no other: 42.2 kilometres in temperatures that often plunge to -20°C, with strong katabatic winds adding to the difficulty and an ever-present risk of frostbite and hypothermia. This is a race that demands extraordinary resilience and meticulous preparation.
The Ultimate Test of Endurance
Training for the Ice Marathon has been a year-long journey. While the members of the team have completed multiple marathons, the focus has been on building endurance and preparing for the Antarctic conditions, which could add at least an hour to the usual marathon time.
In 2021, they planned to run this marathon, but COVID-19 derailed their plans. Instead, they headed to Port Elizabeth where Iain ran his first marathon at the tender age of 72 – an extraordinary feat for someone who has undergone a quadruple bypass.“Nothing stops my dad,” shares Wallis. “His courage and determination are infectious, and this race is a testament to his belief in the power of possibility – for us, for the children whose lives we want to shift, and for anyone who dares to dream big.”
Why the Antarctic Ice Marathon?
Known as the southernmost marathon on Earth, the Ice Marathon takes place at 80 degrees south, just a few hundred miles from the South Pole. Recognised by Guinness World Records, it’s one of only two official running events within the Antarctic Circle.For this family, this isn’t just a race; it’s a metaphor for their mission. Much like the icy terrain, the journey to quality education for every child is full of challenges – but the reward is immeasurable.
It’s Up to Us to Make a Difference
This December, as Iain, Wallis, and Ken cross the finish line on the frozen continent, they aim to inspire not only South Africans but also the rest of the world to take action. Because when we invest in children, we invest in the future. A small donation can make a remarkable difference. “For as little as R25 per month, you can support a child for an entire year,” says Wallis. “Together, we can unlock every child’s potential; one step, one child, one dream at a time.”
