#NotJustAMedal: Shawn-Lee’s Journey to the Start Line and Beyond

Shawn-Lee Carelse never thought of himself as a runner. Running was something other people did: athletes, early risers, those with a natural drive for discipline. But for Shawn-Lee, his focus was elsewhere, consumed by a past filled with struggles and addiction.

A Path Shaped by Struggle

Shawn-Lee’s story begins in Mitchell’s Plain, just as the area was developed around 1979, where he grew up in a community that balanced hardship with deep resilience. “There are many good people who were just given a raw deal and had to fend for themselves to survive. Some fell victim to their circumstances, and some rose above and conquered,” he says.

Like many young boys in his neighborhood, he was drawn into a world of temptation. What began as casual experimentation with dagga in high school escalated into a full-blown drug addiction. By his late teens, he had dropped out of school, lost the trust of his family, and found solace among gang members who accepted him when the rest of the world turned away. “I thought I had control,” he admits. “But drugs don’t let you have control. They take everything.”

At his lowest, he was living in a notorious gang leader’s house, surrounded by violence and addiction, doing whatever it took to support his habit. The moment that changed everything came when he was brutally attacked – beaten so badly he landed up in the hospital. It was a wake-up call. If he stayed, he wouldn’t make it out alive.

“I made my way back to my family; they were shocked to see me in the condition I was in, but they agreed to help me and sent me to a rehab/safe house. Over the next year, I was able to detox and slowly get clean. The next few years, I won’t lie, were very hard, as the dark life still wanted to pull me back. I did relapse a few times, but then I got back up and kept fighting,” says Shawn-lee.

Finding Community in Running

After being sober for a few years, Shawn-Lee decided to try his hand at running. He began solo on the Promenade, an area he found himself in often thanks to his job in tourism. “Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that I would start such a beautiful relationship with myself,” he says reflecting on his running journey.

When Shawn-Lee started running, it wasn’t about training for a race or even hitting a goal. What began as a means of clearing his mind soon became a lifeline—helping him build the discipline, focus, and most importantly a sense of belonging that had been missing for so long.

“When I joined my first group run after being spurred on by my cousin the experience was so good that I immediately felt a connection. No one knew my background, and no one judged me; we all had one thing in common: we love running. I have grown to love and respect this community so much, and everyone has a special place in my heart.,” he says, tears filling his eyes. 

Ultimately, running led him to a community that didn’t judge him for the mistakes he had made. It gave him the confidence and strength to not only rebuild his life but to stand at the start line of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon – proof that sometimes, the most meaningful finish lines aren’t just about the race, but about the journey it takes to get there.

#NotJustAMedal

Shawn-Lee’s journey from addiction to marathon running is one of remarkable resilience. Today, he is not only a dedicated runner but an inspiration to those who feel trapped by their past. His story embodies the very essence of the #NotJustAMedal campaign – the idea that running is about far more than performance. It’s about personal growth, second chances, and the power of community.

“The finish line isn’t the goal,” he says. “The real victory is in every step you take to get there. Running has given me a new identity, a new purpose, and a community that lifts me up. And for that, I am grateful.”

As he continues to lace up his running shoes, Shawn-Lee’s story serves as a reminder: No matter where you come from or what you’ve been through, you can rewrite your future. It’s never too late to start.