Modern Athlete Magazine April May 2025 | Page 3

CONTENTS
Spartan Baby Badass Ultra

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(“ SBBU”) 2025 The Great Debate
Picture 56 runners taking on the challenge of their lives: a 100km or 100 mile( just over 160 km) challenge to be completed in 24 hours. It seems a little mad doesn’ t it? Well, this is the fourth time the SBBU has taken place, and they are just getting started.
Last month we debated whether or not to do away with race tees and medals to lower race costs. This month we offer two points of view on another big topic: should you run a marathon if you’ re sick or just getting over the flu? We have all been there— but what should you actually do, run or rest?

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RUNNERS’ MOUTHPIECE- DEBATES, OPINIONS AND SO MUCH MORE

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Deadly Dozen- do you have what it takes?
Everyone was talking about Deadly Dozen after the first event in Cape Town on 22 March. With the ability to deliver track-based fitness racing all year round, across the country, it offers something simultaneously very different and extremely exciting.
Coach Parry at your service
The amazing team at Coach Parry has been hard at work developing the ultimate podcast and webinar guide talking all things Comrades. They are running other series aimed at all the major races SA has to offer, so get onto YouTube and follow their channel, or go to the page and see for yourself.
Erin Lazarus: my life, my way
“ There are moments in life that stay etched in your heart forever. For me, it’ s the image of a little girl lying in a hospital bed, terrified she’ d never walk again. That girl was me. And now somehow, unbelievably, I can say I have run the London Marathon.” Read all about Erin’ s London journey.
Cian’ s voice
Cian Oldknow hasn’ t had the start to 2025 that she had hoped, but with so many inspiring performances from her fellow athletes of late, she is determined to dream bigger and go further than she has ever done before. As she says,“ Keep dreaming. And keep doing it!”
Rory on the run
Champions, Rory talks TTOM with us. No, not the water and medal drama. He’ s still thinking about that 3061 km climb up Constantia’ s Nek and his fleeting plan to become a pirate instead of actually running. It’ s hilarious, it’ s Rory, it’ s a must read
LIVE WELL

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Recovery tips for endurance athletes: bouncing back after a marathon
Candice de Mendonca reminds us that recovery is as crucial as training to ensure your body heals and prepares for future challenges.
Live Well, the TikTok version
We all do it: look for quick tips and quick wins on social media, from how to strike the ground correctly, to the way to breathe right, and sometimes just to motivate us to keep going. Our team has looked through reels from around the world and found some pearlers just for you.
Calling all foodies
Do you have a million and one recipes saved on your social media that you never make because you can never find them? We have found some easy must-makes just for you and there is only one link you have to click on— this one.
Why your arms matter more than you think
Jurgens Grobler reckons that, when you think of running, you probably picture strong legs pounding the pavement. But your arms are just as important. They help you stay balanced, run smoother, and waste less energy. Jurgens gives us the inside track.
Redefining success: performance metrics beyond the stopwatch
Glen Ross reminds us that,“ Progress doesn’ t always wear a stopwatch. Sometimes, it wears a smile, a breakthrough in mindset, or the quiet strength to keep going.”
Unicorns may be real. Effective selfdefence courses aren’ t
Mark Grobbelaar tells us that self-defence courses you can believe in are like unicorns or pink elephants. You see them in movies and read about them in books … But they don’ t exist.
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