CONTENTS
In the Mag this Month
Welcome to the November edition . You can click on the page numbers below to go straight to the article of your choice .
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WARMING UP
ISSUE 135 NOVEMBER 2020 / www . modernathlete . co . za We launched the digital version of Modern Athlete on the Joomag platform in mid-2013 , and you
ROAD RUNNING
4 The Ed ’ s Desk : Early Mornings !
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Last month I wrote that I was about to do my first couple of commentary gigs since lockdown began , but when my alarm went off at 3:30am , I once again asked the same old question … why do
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I do this to myself ? – BY SEAN FALCONER
mag .
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Show Your Support
Even though these are tough times for the media , Modern Athlete is still being published every month , but we need your help to keep the mag running as SA ’ s only remaining monthly running
Have Your Say
In this month ’ s letters from readers , we very much see a wildlife theme coming to the fore , from running for turtles , running with with baboon and running from snakes , plus a reader poses an idea for free licences in 2021 .
On the cover
Stephen Mokoka leads the way in the FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN in 2019 . Photograph by Tobias Ginsberg
NOVEMBER 2020 ISSUE 135
www . modernathlete . co . za
Legal vs Illegal Races : Latest COVID Developments p201
TRAINING PARTNERS
Stephen Mokoka
Leader of SA Pack Fired Up by New SA 21km Record
Tilda Tearle
Comrades Legend Beats the ‘ Big C ’
Tale of 9 Peaks
Six Friends Take on SA ’ s Top Summits
Thomas van Tonder
90m Rope-climbing Record in Soweto !
Battle on the Pan
Runners Prove Toughest in Verneukpan Challenge
SA ’ s Biggest Running Publication
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Kalmer ’ s Corner : Pregnancy vs Marathon Running
The original plan was to celebrate my 40th with a marathon , but instead , here I am comparing pregnancy to training for and running a marathon . One thing is for sure , I know my hubby is relieved that he doesn ’ t have to run another marathon while on holiday … – BY RENE KALMER
More Mokoka Magic
This year definitely has not gone to plan for Stephen Mokoka , with very little racing allowed by the COVID-19 pandemic and global lockdown , and yet he is finishing the year looking stronger than ever , with a new South African half marathon record to his name and all the motivation he needs to chase Olympic glory in 2021 . – BY SEAN FALCONER
The Running Mann : The Sub-3 Quest
Due to the COVID-19 lockdown , I have not been able to get my usual marathoning and travel fix in for a while , but I do have great memories of races from years gone by . This month I have gone back to 2008 ’ s Kaapsehoop Marathon , when I went after a running goal that had till then eluded me . – BY STUART MANN
Year of the Big C
In July 2019 I turned 60 and decided that I would tackle six big things in my 60th year , including renew my wedding vows , swim the Midmar mile , run the Comrades Marathon for the 31st and last time , and do a tandem parachute jump . I didn ’ t know it at the time , but a seventh big thing lay in wait for me … fighting the ‘ Big C ,’ cancer . – BY TILDA TEARLE
Out the Box : The Elephant in the Room
Athletics events have begun to take place again since the beginning of November , but questions remain as to what can or can ’ t be done , given the strict race regulations issued by Athletics South Africa ( ASA ) and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases ( NCID ). As a result , road running is currently limbo-dancing towards the year-end . – BY NORRIE WILLIAMSON
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WALKING SECTION
Walk This Way : The
38 Identity Beyond
As we see other countries going back into lockdown , we are afraid that it might happen to us again . As October was Mental Health Awareness Month , I thought it would be fitting to talk about how I coped mentally as an athlete during lockdown . – BY ANEL OOSTHUIZEN
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