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CONTENTS
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TRAIL RUNNING SECTION
24 Battle on the Pan
The BrightRock Battle of the Sports set out to discover which sport ’ s athletes are the toughest by putting well-known rugby , soccer , cricket and road running stars to a 200km test in the arid Verneukpan of the Northern Cape . The star-studded running team , featuring multiple Comrades winners and gold medallists , was out to claim bragging rights . – BY SEAN FALCONER
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TRACK & FIELD SECTION
40 Motivated to Fly in 2021
With lockdown regulations now mostly relaxed and elite athletes once again allowed to train normally , SA ’ s stars are working hard to get back into top racing shape , including hurdler Rivaldo Roberts and evergreen javelin star Sunette Viljoen . – BY WILHELM DE SWARDT with SEAN FALCONER
Trail ( Mis ) Adventures : Wet and Wild
The Wild Series races are some of my favourites on the calendar , and I recently ran the Wild Series Golden Gate Challenge . This year ’ s race was greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic , but it still really got me thinking about why I love trail running so much . – BY CARLA FARINA
32 A Tale of 9 Peaks
I am not the same after completing the 9 Peaks Challenge , and I had to come to terms with that . So here is my 33rd attempt to describe just why I am not the same person I was when I started this challenge . You see , travelling can at first leave you speechless , and then it turns you into a storyteller . – WORDS BY CHI INGLEDEW , PICS BY TERENCE VRUGTMAN
LIVE WELL SECTION
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Benefits of a Stronger Back and Chest
A stronger upper body will lead to health benefits in all aspects of your life , be it work , relaxation or going for a run . Here ’ s a simple but effective workout to help get you there . – BY JANICE PONDICAS
The Importance of Upskilling
We ’ re having to re-look how we do things , not only now during lockdown , but also in the future , because the normal as we know it , is likely not going to be the same ever again . – BY PAULA QUINSEE
Healthy Cheesecake Must-haves
I love cheesecake , and I think the reason is that it ’ s pretty light . So , it ’ s generally a dessert you can have after any meal … and who doesn ’ t want that ? So give these two recipes a try . – BY JO HILL
Let ’ s Talk About Recovery
Delayed onset muscle soreness ( DOMS ) can leave you unable to walk , move or lift comfortably . While a sports massage may be at the top of your list for recovery , here are some other ideas that may help you . - BY KARYN COWAN
Awesome Abs Workout
We all love a good workout for the abs , so give this one a try . I suggest doing four sets of the four drills , doing each exercise straight after each other , then one minute rest between each round . – BY LOGAN COLEMAN
MULTISPORT & CYCLING SECTION
OBSTACLE COURSE RACING
46 Reaching for the Skies
South African Obstacle Course Racing Sprint World Champion Thomas van Tonder successfully blazed his way up a 90m freehanging rope between two of Joburg ’ s most iconic landmarks , the Soweto Towers , in mid-November , setting a Guinness World Record along the way .
TRIED & TESTED
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42 Lockdown Breakdown
I wasn ’ t going to share this story , as it is my most personal one yet , but I do feel it is important for young female athletes to be aware of their bodies and the warning signs they give , before you cause irreparable damage , especially if you are a long distance runner and swimmer like me . – BY LEIGH DE NECKER
Living up to a Reputation
I really enjoyed my first wear-testing opportunity with the Under Armour brand , putting their HOVR Machina neutral road shoe and Sportsmask through their paces , and I was quite impressed with the performance of both … but then , I was actually expecting that . – BY SEAN FALCONER
PUBLISHERS Richard Laskey , Roxanne Martin Sean Falconer
ADVERTISING SALES Richard Laskey 083 342 8200 / richard @ modernathlete . co . za
DIGITAL SALES & CAMPAIGNS Roxanne Martin 072 368 7390 / roxanne @ modernathlete . co . za
EDITORIAL TEAM EDITOR : Sean Falconer seanf @ modernathlete . co . za DESIGNER : Caroline Collings caroline . collings @ gmail . com DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGER : Roxanne Martin roxanne @ modernathlete . co . za
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Regulars : Anel Oosthuizen , Carla Lea Farina , Janice Pondicas , Jo Hill , Karyn Cowan , Logan Coleman , Manfred Seidler , Nick Robert , Norrie Williamson , Paula Quinsee , PJ Moses , René Kalmer , Roxanne Martin , Sean Falconer , Stuart Mann , Tom Cottrell Guest Writers : Arnold Geerdts , Chi Ingledew , Craig Scholtz , Karoline Hanks , Leigh De Necker , Mike Gordon-van Wyk , Richard Knaggs , Tilda Tearle , Valentino Arendse , Wilhelm De Swardt
IMAGES COVER IMAGE Tobias Ginsberg
Photo Agencies & Professional Photographers : Action Photo SA , Cleeve Robertson , David Papenfus , Gareth Roberts Photography , Martyn Mulder , Nick Joubert , Paul Hamberger , Pexels , Physiopedia , Reg Caldecott , Roger Sedres / ImageSA , Shawn Benjamin / Ark Images , SMacPix , Terence Vrugtman , Tobias Ginsberg , Tyrone Bradley / Red Bull Content Pool , Wikimedia , Wildlifeanimalz Non-pro Photographers : Big Bay Events , Sean Altern , Ray Chaplin Courtesy : Anel Oosthuizen , Bay to Bay 30km , BrightRock Battle of the Sports , Carla Lea Farina , Janice Pondicas , Jo Hill , Karoline Hanks , Leigh De Necker , Logan Coleman , Midmar Mile , Murray & Roberts Running Club , René Kalmer , Rhyn Swanepoel , Stuart Mann , Tilda Tearle , Under Armour , Valentino Arendse
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