ASICS FrontRunner Anna Pearce on how running has helped her rebound from trauma, full of courage and positivity

WORDS: CLAIRE CHAMBERLAIN

PHOTOS: JOSEPH BRANS TON

“FOR ME, RUNNING IS INCREDIBLY EMPOWERING – I AM ABLE TO DO MORE THAN I THOUGHT I WAS CAPABLE OF”

Anna Pearce was 22 years old when a brutal attack almost took her life. Some 10 years on, she is not only finding the courage to talk about her ordeal, but she is proving – with empowering action – that she is stronger for it. “I’ve seldom talked about the incident,” Anna says.

“Not out of any emotional or physical discomfort, but because I worry people will think I’m wanting pity or attention for what I went through, which is not the case. It’s also out of fear that people will think negatively of my beautiful home, South Africa. But I strongly believe in being open about my story, in the hope that it may bring a positive message: to focus on love and light instead of darkness or hate.”

TERRIFYING ORDEAL

In January 2008, Anna, who had just finished her undergraduate human physiotherapy degree, was beginning a year-long compulsory work placement at a rural hospital in the Transkei, on the Eastern Cape of South Africa. “The Transkei is very rural,” explains Anna. “There are only dirt roads and I was placed about two to three hours’ drive from the nearest town. But I was very happy to be there, and everyone was friendly and welcoming.”