C o l u m n
LACE IT UP
Meet this month ’ s Lace it Up Expert : Craig Gornall
Welcome to Lace it Up , a monthly series where we talk all things running ! This month we feature the New Balance Fuel Cell Rebel v4 . Considered a PB running shoe , we needed an expert to help us understand it . Craig Gornall , owner of run specialist store Running High , was the perfect choice . His knowledge meant we could get to the bottom of what these shoes can actually do !
Why Craig ?
A qualified podiatrist , Craig practised for five years before he entered the running industry full-time . Adding to his understanding of how our feet work , he also has CGA level 1 and UESCA ( United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy ) Ultra-running coaching certifications .
Craig ’ s running background :
At Jeppe High School , Craig took part in track and field events and it was here that his passion for the sport began . Once he had finished school he ran 15km races to keep fit and in shape , primarily for golf , but when the golf stopped the running continued .
Initially , Craig vowed he would never run further than a half marathon , but even the best laid plans don ’ t always work out . Taking a work colleague to the start
Where can you find Craig ?
Running High Run Specialist Store Shop 2 , Bedford Arcade , 55 Van Buuren Road , Bedfordview Website www . runninghigh . co . za of the Comrades Marathon , something changed , the bug bit and he told himself Comrades was his next big goal . Two years later he achieved that dream , running a 9:56 . But what goes up must also come down , and Craig completed his back-toback the following year in 8:57 .
It seems ultras are now Craig ’ s race of choice . He has also completed the Karkloof 100 Miler , Ultra-trail Cape Town 65km and the Ultra-trail Drakensberg 62km .
38 ISSUE 172 | www . modernathlete . co . za