Sean Falconer
EDITOR ’ S LETTER
One of the highlights of this job is talking to athletes about their running , and what motivates and drives them . I really enjoy seeing their passion for all things running shine through , and hearing the emotion in their voices as they tell me their stories , or see them smile and laugh when they talk about their running achievements . Taking that a step further , it ’ s still more enjoyable interviewing an athlete who is new to running , because their excitement about this wonderful new activity they have discovered is marvellous . For that reason , I really enjoyed interviewing Ashley Robinson for this edition ( see page 22 ).
He ’ s a professional fighter , stuntman and personal trainer who was ‘ just ’ running regularly to be fit for his various jobs , but then to his great surprise he won the first race he entered . I met him that day when I did a quick interview with him on the stadium mic just after his first win , and then I saw him win another event a few weeks later . When I heard his remarkable background story , I told him I wanted to interview him for the mag , so we exchanged contact details , and over the next few weeks I received regular updates on his racing plans , and ( equally regular ) excited messages about more podium finishes . It was a breath of fresh air to listen to him talk about his future racing plans .
Equally motivating was chatting to Louzanne Coetzee ( page 20 ) at the finish line of the Old Mutual Soweto Marathon , where she made a valiant effort to break the women ’ s World Record for a blind marathoner in her para-sport class . That was another story we simply had to put in the mag , because of her indomitable spirit and can-do attitude . Similarly , listening to Julian Karp ( page 16 ) talk about the more than 700 marathons and ultras he has run , and how he plans to run hundreds more , will also have you asking yourself , “ so what ’ s my excuse ?”
A CLOSE CALL
Another must-read , for a totally different reason , is triathlete Jenny Close ’ s story on page 28 , about the blood clot that could have killed her during the Ironman 70.3 in Durban . She had no idea at the time how close to death she potentially was , because she didn ’ t know what was wrong , and I believe you should read this article and take note of her symptoms . I don ’ t think we should all go round worrying about developing a sudden deep vein thrombosis , because there were other factors at play in her story , but it doesn ’ t hurt to be informed and prepared .
Meet our team
DIVISIONAL HEAD Richard Laskey richard @ modernathlete . co . za CONTENT MANAGER Roxanne Martin roxanne @ modernathlete . co . za
EDITORIAL TEAM EDITOR Sean Falconer seanf @ modernathlete . co . za DIGITAL EDITOR Keith Kennedy keith @ peaktiming . co . za DESIGNER Caroline Collings caroline . collings @ gmail . com
ADVERTISING SALES Richard Laskey 083 342 8200 / richard @ modernathlete . co . za
SUBSCRIPTIONS & DISTRIBUTION info @ modernathlete . co . za
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Regulars : Anel Oosthuizen , Blake Wilkins , Christine Peters , Derick Marcisz , Ernest Hobbs , Jeannie Jordaan , Manfred Seidler , Norrie Williamson , PJ Moses , Ray Orchison , Reggie Hufkie , René Kalmer , Roxanne Martin , Sean Falconer , The Gentleman Racer , Tom Cottrell Guest Writers : Charles Panaino , Faizel , Flippie Nieuwenhuis , Gaopalelwe Mekwa , Herman Cronje , Jenny Close , Salomé Scholtz
COVER IMAGE Reg Caldecott
IMAGES Photo Agencies & Professional photographers : BeSnapped , Brett Nattrass , Chris Hitchcock , Ewald Sadie , Fotolia , Jetline Action Photo , Lillian Amos , Nick Muzik , Reg Caldecott , Roger Sedres / ImageSA , Shawn Benjamin / Ark Images , Tobia Ginsberg Non-professional photographers : Sean Falconer Courtesy : Anel Oosthuizen , Ashley Robinson , Brenda Ndebele , Busiswe Xulu , Charles Panaino , Charl Whitaker , Craig Strachan , Enrico Biko , Falke , Flippie Nieuwenhuis , Gaopalelwe Mekwa , Gill Sanders , Heidi Brand , Herman Cronje , Jared Waters , Jenny Close , Julian Karp , Natia van Heerden , Nolene Conrad , Nontokozo Gumede , PJ Moses , René Kalmer , Sefako Moeletsi , Shandene van der Walt , Thurston Cole , Willie Richards , YouTube , and various Race Organisers
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And yet , when chatting to her , I was struck by her resilience , her inner strength , and her determination to get back to racing , not because she is in denial about her near-fatal injury , but because of her passion for running , cycling and multisport events . Her spirit is remarkable , and it was a privilege to welcome her in at the finish line of two recent running and cycling events .
So it ’ s January and I am starting the New Year with these stories on my mind , motivating me to lace up my running shoes … because if Ashley , Louzanne , Julian and Jenny can do it , so can I . No excuses this year , see you out there !
Sean Falconer
Follow me on Twitter : @ sean _ falconer | Follow the mag as well : @ modern _ athlete
WINNERS ’ CORNER
Congratulations to all the winnders of our December edition competitions .
ISSUE 102 JANUARY 2018 / www . modernathlete . co . za
HAVE YOUR SAY Win adidas Supernova Glide Boost running shoes for the winning letter Running Man , Johannesburg
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Modern Athlete is accredited by the ABC with an average monthly circulation of 68,669 ( July – September 2017 )
ATHLETES IN ACTION Win New Balance Fresh Foam trail running shoes for the winning photo Suzanne Smit , Paarl
Image : Courtesy Ashley Robinson