CONTENTS
Modern Athlete: FULL of what you love!
Welcome to our April / May edition. With so many holidays behind us, trying to cram all the news into one month just didn’ t work. But rest assured: it was worth the wait.
FEATURES TO INSPIRE 4
8
10
Welcome
With change comes new beginnings. This issue ushers in a new era of Modern Athlete: for the first time it’ s a team effort bringing you the mag! We may employ a new editor down the line but for now, as we create a new direction, we are pulling together to bring you your favourite sports magazine.
Rolling with the Roving Cow: Grit, goggles, and a guide dog named Ginty
Kathleeen Amelia Flanagan was born with retinitis pigmentosa( RP). The condition slowly narrows the field of vision: in layman’ s terms, it’ s like having permanent tunnel vision. Despite this she’ s never been one to shy away from a challenge— including when, as she got older, her vision deteriorated further. Now she’ s storming the triathlon circuit, even earning a national title. Our Roving Cow Richard Laskey gets the full story.
Changing the world one skip at a time
Running a marathon is generally already quite challenging. But running one while skipping rope? That seems borderline crazy. But, in this industry, we have come across many a crazy runner so we’ ve learned you should always delve a little deeper and get the full story. That’ s how we got to know Marissa Groenewald, the Rope Runner.
12
14
16
How to Win a R1-Million Apartment
Want to win an R1-Million Balwin Properties apartment? If you have run any of the Balwin Sport Marathon Series races, go to page 12 and see how easy it is to put yourself in line to win.
New men’ s SA marathon record is a story of more than just the numbers
We chat to Elroy Gelant to learn the remarkable story behind smashing Gert Thys’ longstanding SA Marathon record on Freedom Day.
Rising from the rubble: the Darren Thomas Story
From Springbok dreams to spinal injury— and finding strength in the struggle. Darren Thomas has been through many struggles and trials. But, as our Roving Cow Richard Laskey reports, Darren has come out the other side.
RACES YOU NEED TO BE AT AND PEOPLE YOU NEED TO FOLLOW
|
On the cover |
|
|
|
20
Run beneath the midnight sun in northern Norway
You’ re running through the Arctic capital, Tromsø, enjoying views of both the mountains and the sea at midnight. You’ re definitely packing lights and headgear to ensure you can see, right? Wrong! This race is run during the polar day so, while it starts in the evening, it’ s light the entire time.
|
|
Pg 10
Pg 16
|
|
|
|
April / May 2025 www. modernathlete. co. za
Changing the world one skip at a time
The Rope Runner and her Ultimate Race!
Rising from the rubble: the Darren Thomas Story
From a hopeful Springbok to a wheelchair, Darren inspires us all
SA’ s Biggest Mag For The Modern Athlete
Breaks Gert Thys 26-year
Marathon Record!
Bucketlist Race
Running under the Midnight Sun?
Win a R1 Million Balwin
Apartment
INSPIRATION AT ITS BEST!
Elroy Gelant
It’ s true and the winner could be you!
1
|
Pg 14
Pg 25
Pg 12
|
22 Trailchasers, tech and
trailblazers: One man’ s quest to get SA running wild
Dean Horwitz is not your average trail run reporter. He is covering the sport while also looking to start a trail revolution. How, you may ask? With a podcast and by calling a stranger once a day. Our Roving Cow Richard Laskey chats to Dean to get the full story.
26
28
Arizona ultra offers Ryan Sandes his toughest challenge yet!
Red Bull athlete and world-renowned ultra-runner Ryan Sandes took on his toughest endurance challenge yet. The Cocodona 250, a 250-mile( 400 km) non-stop trail race across Arizona in the US, took place from 5-10 May 2025. Roxanne Martin chatted to Ryan about preparing for the longest race of his career.
Cape Town, the countdown is on!
There are less than 100 days to go until the next HYROX event on South African shores and yes, finally, we can present a two-day event showing the growth of both HYROX and Fitness Racing! Cape Town, buckle up and get ready: HYROX will be in your city on 19 and 20 July 2025.
|
2 |
ISSUE 178 | www. modernathlete. co. za |
|
|