Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 131, June 2020 June 2020 | Page 4

EDITOR’S LETTER PUBLISHERS Richard Laskey Roxanne Martin Sean Falconer ADVERTISING SALES Richard Laskey 083 342 8200 / [email protected] DIGITAL SALES & CAMPAIGNS Roxanne Martin 072 368 7390 / [email protected] 4 Running Matters Let’s face it, 2020 is unlikely to be remembered fondly by most people. The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed many lives, and even more livelihoods, meaning that most people have been affected by the virus, even if they never fell ill. The running industry has been badly affected, with all events cancelled, in all likelihood until next year, thus robbing many people of their living, from athletes and coaches, to event organisers, water sachet suppliers, timing companies, commentators, sound companies, photographers, and more. It isn’t just runners who are missing their weekly fix at the races… there are many people missing their pay cheques, too. Of course, the need for the lockdown, for social distancing, and avoiding public gatherings and crowds, is now well documented and understood, but this has not made it any easier for us to accept not being able to do what we love. Especially on the weekends, when many of us would normally be heading to a race, with family, friends, clubmates or colleagues. We have really been missing the camaraderie of the running community! Instead of races, time trials, club runs and get-togethers at the clubhouse, we now have to make do with virtual challenges. Just as is the case with the South African race calendar, which has well over 1000 races throughout the country each year, we now have a wide choice of different challenges to motivate us to keep training and racing. The added bonus is that most challenges can be done anywhere in the world. What has been great to see is how many people in the running industry have rolled up their sleeves and tried to find solutions to problems, and alternatives to normal practices not currently allowed. These people are trying to keep the running industry moving forward, and I salute them for their commitment, positivity and enthusiasm. But let’s be honest, we’d all love to see things go back to normal tomorrow, and for our favourite races to be put back on the calendar, the time trials to be run again, and the clubhouse bar to re-open. Hopefully soon… In the meantime, here’s another running read to entertain you, and to motivate your running. Some of the highlights to look out for include The Running Mann delving deep into the finances of all the big marathons and ultras while discussing the hot topic of entry fee refunds, and Leigh De Necker’s gritty piece on life lessons learnt out on the trails. And since it’s June – Comrades Marathon month – we simply had to include Sean Altern’s story about the incredible camaraderie of the Ultimate Human Race. Last but not least, we caught up with soapie star and singer, Reggie Hufkie, who has written for this mag in the past, to talk about how race walking helped get his career as a performer going. Enjoy the read! Sean Falconer ISSUE Follow 131 me JUNE on Twitter: 2020 / @sean_falconer www.modernathlete.co.za | Follow the mag as well: @modern_athlete EDITORIAL TEAM EDITOR Sean Falconer [email protected] DESIGNER Caroline Collings [email protected] DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGER Roxanne Martin [email protected] EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Regulars: Anel Oosthuizen, Carla Lea Farina, Coach Parry, Leanne Hall, Manfred Seidler, Norrie Williamson, PJ Moses, René Kalmer, Roxanne Martin, Sean Falconer, Stuart Mann, Tom Cottrell Guest Writers: Antoinette Jordaan, Arnold Geerdts, Christine Peters, Comfort Selebi, Desiree Hainsworth, Elaine Verreynne, Ernest Hobbs, Gavin Moffat, Leigh De Necker, Nathan van Rooyen, Ray Orchison, Sean Altern, Sharon Sheshe Ncipa, Wilhelm De Swardt COVER IMAGE Courtesy Leigh De Necker IMAGES Photo Agencies & Professional photographers: Barbara Cole, Dylan Haskin, Jetline Action Photo, Pexels, Reg Caldecott, Shawn Benjamin/Ark Images Non-professional photographers: Mikaela Rijkmans, Paige Altern, Ray Chaplin, Sean Altern, Stuart Mann, Tina Heppe Courtesy: Amoija Events, Anel Oosthuizen, Cape Town Marathon, Carla Lea Farina, Comfort Selebi, Comrades Marathon, Devon Hansen, Fargo Marathon, Irene Ultra, Jayde Brammer, Kaapsehoop Marathon, Leigh De Necker, Loskop Marathon, Luke Altern, Nathan van Rooyen, Murray & Roberts Running Club, Parkrun South Africa, René Kalmer, Reggie Hufkie, Reschenseelauf, Sharon Sheshe Ncipa, Tom Cottrell, Wally Hayward Marathon FIND US GENERAL E-MAIL [email protected] EDITORIAL E-MAIL [email protected] WEB www.modernathlete.co.za FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/ modernathletemag TWITTER @modern_athlete INSTAGRAM @modernathletemag Image: Courtesy Amoija Events