The Muskathlon is not just a race, but a response to injustice
- Miriam Steiner
- Mar 25
- 5 min read
Farid Krieg is an experienced “Muskathlete” who has already taken part in this extraordinary event several times. He will also be competing again in Cape Town in 2025. In this interview, he explains what drives him, what challenges await him - and why you should also become part of the Muskathlon Cape Town 2025 mission.
Farid, you've already done several Muskathlons - what is it that fascinates you so much that you keep taking part?
What fascinates me about the Muskathlon is that it offers a very concrete opportunity to stand up for justice. People often ask themselves: How can I actively make a difference? Donating is one option, but the Muskathlon makes the commitment tangible. You travel to the location, get to know the people and see with your own eyes what impact your commitment has.
I also have a big heart for Israel and find it inspiring that glowbalact is active there. The whole concept of glowbalact inspires me because it's not just about financial aid, but about real, sustainable change.
The goal of the individual “Muskathletes” is to collect donations of CHF 10,000 for glowbalact. That is quite a challenge. You have already exceeded the fundraising target. Do you have a secret to your success that you can share with us?
It wasn't easy at first, but with creative ideas I was able to get a lot of people involved. One of my best campaigns was a charity dinner: I invited friends and acquaintances to a couscous evening. Each guest paid 100 francs as a donation for my Muskathlon. The great thing about it was that people not only gave money, but also established a personal connection to the project. I was able to explain to them why the fight against human trafficking is so important to me.
It is important to explain the purpose in detail, because human trafficking is a complex and often uncomfortable topic. My tip: Take people with you and show them that they can really make a difference with their donation.
At the Muskathlon in Cape Town, you will be completing a trail run - 22 km with 830 meters of elevation gain. How are you preparing for this?
I've always run on flat routes so far, so this will be a new challenge for me. Originally I wanted to run a marathon, but with the extra meters of elevation gain, the 22 km distance is realistic for me.
This time, I won't just be training on flat routes, but I'll be incorporating altitude meters. In Neuchâtel, where I will soon be living, there is the Chaumont - a perfect training opportunity.
Have you ever made a mistake while running that taught you a lot?
Oh yes! One of the biggest mistakes is to start too fast. You feel full of energy at the start, but if you don't keep your own pace, it can be really tough later on. I reached my limits twice because I started too fast. I thought I was going great and then I was suddenly at the end of my tether. Once I almost had to walk to the finish.
I also got a valuable tip: Drink and eat regularly - every 20 minutes. Since I've been following this, I feel much better when I'm running.
Is there anything you are particularly looking forward to apart from the TrailRun in Cape Town?
Definitely! I've never been to South Africa before and I'm looking forward to getting to know the country. But for me, tourism is not the main focus - I'm traveling with a mission. It's about being there, investing time and emotion and seeing what is achieved with the donations.
I find it particularly exciting that glowbalact is now also active in South Africa with the production of KitePride bags. I am excited to see how this project can change lives there.
Is there a special “spirit” to the Muskathlon that you only understand once you've been there?
Muskathlon is more than a sporting event - it is a movement for justice. What unites us all is the faith and the mission we share. You come together as strangers, but it immediately feels like a family. Many help and support each other. Regardless of whether you are sporty or not - it's all about the shared mission, about working for justice. And that is incredibly powerful.
You were also at the Muskathlon 2019 in Israel, where you visited the glowbalact project. Did you have an encounter there that particularly moved you?
Yes, many. I was particularly impressed by one woman who told us how she found her way back into life. For a long time, she was afraid just to go shopping on her own. I didn't realize how deeply people can be destroyed by their past. She and her husband told us their story - we were all moved to tears.
What also impressed me: The patience it takes to help these people. The glowbalact team accompanies them with so much love and empathy, often without knowing whether the person will even come back the next day. That really impressed me.
What does it mean to you to get involved in the run to fight human trafficking?
For me, it is a way of making visible what often happens in secret. Many people believe that those affected have chosen their own fate, but this is a big misconception. Human trafficking is a billion-dollar business that cannot simply be eliminated from the world. But that doesn't mean we can't do anything. I'm reminded of a story that illustrates this well: a girl is standing on the beach and throws starfish washed up by the tide back into the sea. A man comes and says: “It's no use, there are far too many - the beach is miles long.” But the girl picks up a starfish, looks at it and says: “It makes a difference to this one.” And that's exactly my point!
What would you say to someone who wants to take part but has doubts?
Anyone can take part! It's not about being in top athletic shape - it's about setting an example for justice. If you have the desire to make a difference, then you already have everything you need. And the best thing is that you are not only doing something good for others, but also for yourself!
Complete the sentence: “For me, the Muskathlon is...”
...not just a run, but a response to injustice.
Thank you very much for your great commitment, Farid! We wish you every success!
The donations collected enable people who are leaving forced prostitution to be trained and integrated into the primary labor market.
Thank you for your support and your commitment against human trafficking!
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