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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ATHLETES IN ACTION Win New Balance Fresh Foam trail running shoes for the winning photo Suzanne Smit, Paarl
Image: Courtesy Ashley Robinson