EDITOR’S LETTER
In producing this edition,
I took great pleasure in
interviewing long-time
friends Joanna Maingard and
Nuno Morais, because in this
time of lockdown, isolation,
social distancing and working
remotely, we have lost touch
with many people. And a
good chat does the mind and
soul good, especially when it
includes talking about running!
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Sean Falconer
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4
Sean Falconer
I met Joanna back in 2013 when
I was coach of the University
of Stellenbosch women’s
soccer team. When she joined
the team, I was immediately
impressed not just with her
playing ability, but also her
assuredness and go-getter
personality. In the end she
didn’t play much for me, due to
a serious knee injury suffered
during her first year, but we’ve
stayed in touch over the years
as she took up running, and it
gives me great pleasure to now
include her inspirational story in
the mag.
As for Nuno, I interviewed him early in 2019 and greatly enjoyed telling his story of using
running to help him break the alcoholic addiction that was destroying his life. It was one
of those interviews that left a deep mark on me, and I have followed his running exploits
and progress on social media since then. So once again, it was great to reconnect as I
interviewed him about his ongoing run from Joburg to Cape Town to raise awareness of
the Our Voices campaign. But what made the interview all the more special is that he is
being accompanied and seconded on his run by Morne Swart, another runner with an
addiction history, who I have known for many years. We had not spoken since 2008, but
the memories soon came flooding back as we reminisced about past misadventures, and
the people we are still friends with today thanks to running.
As you read this edition, I hope it will get you thinking of running friends you have perhaps
lost contact with, and spur you on to call, mail or text them, to say hi and reconnect.
Running friends are special, so treasure them.
We’re Still Up and Running
Many of you may have heard in recent weeks about various magazines and publishing
companies shutting down due to the downturn in publishing and advertising revenue,
compounded by the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown. Runner’s World magazine is set
to close down completely after their September/October edition, and TRAIL Magazine has
done the same as us and gone the 100% digital route.
Modern Athlete was fortunately ahead of the curve, and thanks to developing new runningrelated
products and services, we are still able to continue with business as normal. However,
I will be honest in saying that the last few months have been rough, because much of our
traditional income was dependent on events, and when they were all cancelled, much of our
forecasted income for the rest of 2020 went out the window. For that reason, we are now
running a regular page in the mag asking readers to support the brand. If you are able to do
so, a donation will help us keep this mag running, so please go click that Support button.
ISSUE
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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: Arnold Geerdts, Ela Meiring,
James Evans, Kim Stephens, Matthew Grossett,
Wilhelm De Swardt, Zaheera Khan
COVER IMAGE Jetline Action Photo
IMAGES
Photo Agencies & Professional Photographers:
Alan van Gysen, DEDs Photography, Ewald
Sadie, Jetline Action Photo, Kelvin Trautman,
Michele Risoli, Pierre Bassani, Pexels, Reg
Caldecott, Roger Sedres/ImageSA, SMacPix,
Wessel Oosthuizen/SASCOC Images, Xavier Briel
Non-professional Photographers: Anel
Oosthuizen, Jeanne Adonis, Morne Swart,
Nuno Morais, Pieter Oosthuizen, Stuart Mann,
V.Berger/Wikipedia
Courtesy: Anel Oosthuizen, Asics, Carla Lea
Farina, Dale Herring, Ela Meiring, Joanna
Maingard, Judith Le Clercq, Murray & Roberts
Running Club, René Kalmer, Stuart Mann, Top
Events
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modernathletemag
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Image: Jeanne Adonis