11 INSPIRATION May 2020 Two Oceans on the 13 th Floor Ed ’ s Note : I remember when the band Cinema brought out their big hit , My Kind of Girl , in 1987 , when I was 11 years old . I can even remember the members of the band appearing on the popular TV show Cupid , where one of them won a blind date trip to Mauritius – and they all had those fashionable permed hairdo ’ s back then , as I recall ! Fast-forward to 2020 and I heard that former lead singer Jarrod Aston-Assenheim was now a serious runner , having taken up the sport when he gave up smoking and drinking , and he had done the 58km Two Oceans Ultra on his 13 th floor balcony in Sea Point , Cape Town ! That was already a story in itself , but then I heard he had done it to raise funds for musicians and other people in the entertainment industry who were struggling due to all events being cancelled , and that story just had to be shared ! June 2020 Walking to Stardom Ed ’ s Note : These days actor and singer Reginald Hufkie , a . k . a . Reggie Peace , is best known for his recurring role as Luke on the SABC1 soapie Generations , and his music videos are generating more and more views and followers , but few know that his career as a performer received a kickstart thanks to his talent as a race walker . I got to know him before he got his big break in showbiz , working alongside him as a commentator at events , and also giving him writing assignments for the magazine . I also found out about his difficult youth in Port Elizabeth , losing both parents at a young age and growing up in a children ’ s home , and how he used his walking talent to earn provincial colours and go to university in Johannesburg , where he decided to pursue the creative arts . It ’ s a great story of overcoming the odds , and well worth the read . July-August 2020 Marathon Plans Postponed Ed ’ s Note : This was another story that I felt close to , as Joanna Maingard was a member of the University of Stellenbosch women ’ s soccer team that I used to coach . She was always such a cheerful , upbeat player , a real pleasure to coach , so when I saw that she was now running up a storm , and doing it for a great cause , too , I wanted to feature her in the mag . Her story has a tinge of sadness , as she runs in memory of her cousin , who died suddenly a few years ago , but out of that sadness has sprung an incredible desire to pay it forward . Thus Jo runs to raise funds for a rural school near their family farm in the KZN midlands . While her 2020 plans to run eight international marathons in eight European countries in just over three months unfortunately had to be put on ice due to the pandemic , that wasn ’ t going to stop Jo from running , or fundraising ! September 2020 Stabbing Motivation Ed ’ s Note : It sounds like a horror story . An athlete is out on his morning run , enjoying the sunshine and the endorphins released by the workout , when three men jump him to steal his running kit , and stab him twice , in the head and leg , when he fights back . Then they leave him lying in the road , bleeding , unable to walk , losing consciousness , desperately trying to get a passing car to stop to help him . This is just part of what well-known Cape Town elite runner Sibusiso Madikizela went through earlier this year , and yet , in spite of the attack nearly ending his running career , he has come back stronger and more fired up to run than ever , while also determined to help other athletes where he can . I heard about this story via another running commentator and followed it up to do this inspiring feature for the mag . October 2020 Lessons in Survival Skills Ed ’ s Note : I had the privilege of interviewing Richard Wright for the first time in 2017 and was absolutely blown away by his story , about his ongoing battle with stage-four brain cancer , and how he continued doing Ironman triathlons not just to stay fit and healthy , but to give himself purpose and belief in fighting the disease . I remember having pages and pages of notes , as his story was just so incredible , and trying to fit all that detail into a couple of pages was hard ! Fastforward to 2020 and his story has become still more incredible , including finishing a Half Ironman with a dislocated shoulder suffered as he exited the water ! It seems nothing can stop this indomitable man , and he shares his positivity and purpose through his speaking and his new book ( the release of which sparked the idea for this new feature on him ). November 2020 Year of the Big C Ed ’ s Note : Winning the Comrades Marathon makes you a household name in South Africa , but staying one nearly 30 years later is down to you being a fantastic person - and 1993 women ’ s winner Tilda Tearle definitely falls into that category . She is instantly recognisable thanks to her trademark ponytails when she runs , but it is her terrific sense of humour that really draws people to her , not just out on the road , but also through her writing . She had submitted pieces to the mag in the past , which I always gladly accepted and published , but this one struck a much deeper emotional note with me , as she wrote about her recent , thankfully successful battle with breast cancer . But she did so with that same sense of humour – like mentioning that she made sure to put on lipstick before being wheeled into the operating theatre – and that spirit of can-do that typifies Comrades champions . ISSUE 136 DECEMBER 2020 / www . modernathlete . co . za 34 Two Oceans on the 13 th Floor Two Oceans on the 13 th Floor LOCKDOWN ISSUE 136 DECEMBER 2020 / www . modernathlete . co . za 42 W ith his unmissable hairstyle , it ’ s hard not to spot Reggie Hufkie in a crowd , but what makes him even more noticeable is his eyes . At times , one sees a smile playing around the edges , especially when he talks about his blossoming career as an actor and singer , or fond memories of his race walking career , now on hold . But there are also times when the hardship and tragedy of his youth show in his eyes . It ’ s an unmistakeable sadness , mixed with hardened resolve , which he says is what now drives him to follow his dreams in the world of showbiz . Last year the 28-year-old enjoyed a breakout year in television , beginning with landing the recurring role of Luke on the SABC1 soapie , Generations : The Legacy . He followed this up with a guest role on the kykNET supernatural crime series , Die Spreeus , and later in 2019 he landed his first starring role in television , as Spanner Proes in the kykNET sitcom , Huis Lelieveld . Before that , Reggie had made his television acting debut in 2014 , in an episode of the SABC1 sitcom Single Galz . Later that year he had another cameo role , this time in the SABC1 drama series Kowethu , and later had minor roles in the SABC2 soapie 7de Laan and the SABC3 soapie High Rollers . In 2017 he played the recurring role of Lem in the SABC2 drama series Swartwater , and in 2018 he appeared in the miniseries Liberty , but 2019 stands out as the year he really made a name for himself on TV . In the meantime , his music career has steadily been taking off , with the release of his first music single in December 2018 on YouTube , followed by another six in 2019 . His musical stage name is Reggie Peace , which he says comes from the days when he was part of a musical group called Peacemaker . “ I never had peace in my life growing up , but I always wanted it . My biggest focus in the last few years has been acting , where I am getting work right now , but during the lockdown I have been really focussed on music . I felt it was time for that side of me to come out , so have been introducing myself to people . My music is all about me , what I stand for , and I want to give the message that the strength is inside you , if you move to the beat inside you . In acting , I am telling somebody else ’ s story , whereas in music I am telling my story .” Difficult Youth Born into the Schauderville community near Port Elizabeth , the middle child of three boys , Reggie says his family were amongst the poorest of the poor . On top of the family ’ s financial woes , tragedy struck when Reggie ’ s mother passed away in 2004 , when he was just 12 years old . “ I grew up in a small shack Images : xxxx Actor and singer Reginald Hufkie , a . k . a . Reggie Peace , is best known for his recurring role as Luke on the SABC1 soapie Generations , but few know that his current career as a performer received a kickstart thanks to his talent as a race walker . – BY SEAN FALCONER Stardom Walking to Stardom Walking to Reggie playing Luke in Generations Playing Spanner in Huis Lelieveld One of Reggie ’ s music singles WALKING ISSUE 136 DECEMBER 2020 / www . modernathlete . co . za 48 Marathon Plans Postponed Marathon Plans Postponed ROAD RUNNING ISSUE 136 DECEMBER 2020 / www . modernathlete . co . za 50 ROAD RUNNING Saturday 12 May is a day that wellknown Cape Town elite runner Sibusiso Madikizela will never forget . That was the day that his running career was nearly ended by a knife-wielding attacker … but he has come back stronger and more fired up to run than ever , while also determined to help other athletes where he can . – BY SEAN FALCONER O ne minute , Sibusiso Madikizela was running along Baden Powell Drive , the usually busy stretch of coastal road between Khayalitsha township and False Bay . The next minute , his Saturday 7am training run was brought to a frightening halt as the man just ahead who had stopped to tie his shoelace , suddenly jumped up and grabbed the 30-year-old runner by the neck , while pointing a knife at his face . The first mugger was then joined by two more men , who crossed from the other side of the road , shouting at Sibusiso to give them his running gear , but he decided he wasn ’ t going to just become another victim of crime . “ I didn ’ t give in , I fought back , and that ’ s when they stabbed me twice , in my head and near my knee . They then took my shoes , cap and watch , and they tried to also take my Images : George Gundry , Roger Sedres / ImageSA & courtesy Sibusiso Madikizela & Under Armour T-shirt , but luckily a car approached and they ran away ,” he says . His ordeal was far from over , however . No car would stop to help the wounded runner , now bleeding profusely from his head wound , so he wrapped his shirt around his head and tried to walk home . “ Eventually I couldn ’ t see anything anymore because of all the blood , and I had lost so much that I passed out on the road . When I woke up the next day , I was in the Khayalitsha Hospital , and was told that a woman had brought me in . I never found out who she was , because she just dropped me off at the emergency ward due to the Corona safety restrictions .” Road to Recovery Sibusiso spent two days in hospital , during which the doctors stitched up his two stab wounds , and he says all he could think about was whether his running career was over . It turned out he had actually been incredibly lucky . “ The knife cut into my ITB muscle just above the knee , but narrowly missed my knee ligaments . I was very worried until they took off the bandages after 15 days and the stitches came out , but I healed quickly after that .” “ I had a bit of pain afterwards , including some headaches from the head wound , but I started feeling myself again by the end of June . Now I look back and realise how lucky I was that my wounds were not too deep , or more serious . You can still see the mark on my head , but it ’ s not too bad ,” he adds . Looking back on the attack , Sibusiso says he learnt a hard lesson that day . “ You need to be careful out on the roads , and you have to watch the people you pass until you are well past them . It happens so quickly … and I now understand why some runners change direction when they see people approaching . This happened to me on a busy road , with cars regularly passing by , so it could happen anywhere . But I am still going to run !” Athletic Talent Born in KwaZulu-Natal , Sibusiso began running in 2004 , when he was in Grade 8 , and he went on to represent the province from 2008 to 2010 in both track and cross country , with the steeple chase as his specialist event . He then moved to Johannesburg to pursue his running career , and earned provincial Stabbing Motivation Stabbing Motivation Sibusiso in his steeple chase days on the track Sibusiso is a popular regular on the podium at races ISSUE 136 DECEMBER 2020 / www . modernathlete . co . za 52 MULTISPORT Sales guru , successful entrepreneur and now international speaker , Richard Wright is a survivor of stage-four brain cancer , having overcome all the odds in beating the disease while still competing in some of the world ’ s toughest endurance events , including full Ironman triathlons . Now he is sharing his positivity and purpose through his speaking and his new book . – BY SEAN FALCONER C oming out of the water at the 2019 Ironman 70.3 in Durban , Richard Wright was just congratulating himself on a good swim and mentally preparing for the upcoming bike leg , all the time thinking that his complete lack of fitness was fortunately not proving a problem as yet , when disaster struck . Well , it would have been a disaster for most triathletes , but Richard is no ordinary triathlete ! “ I had a great swim , but coming out of the water I was dumped by a freak wave and dislocated my shoulder . I just asked the race doctor to pop it back in , and then went on to finish race ,” says Richard with a genuine lack of false bravado . That just isn ’ t his way . “ A month later , I was still struggling with the shoulder , so I went to see the surgeon . He said he was pretty confident it was just dislocated , but sent me for an X-ray just to be sure . When he showed me the result , he said the top of my humerus was dented in it and shaved off , and it was clearly broken . He then asked me how on earth I finished an Ironman event like that ? I said , it just shows what the power of the mind can achieve , and that overcoming obstacles is possible .” It really should come as no surprise that a broken shoulder could not stop Richard from finishing that race , because he has already overcome so much in his ongoing battle with pituitary cancer , a rare form of brain cancer that is usually considered terminal . Over and over again , Richard has shown that no matter what it takes – physical suffering , or putting mind over matter – he will power his way to the finish line … But even by his standards , that 70.3 in Durban was a rough one . “ In early April 2019 , I was Interviewed live on TV by Vaylen Kirtley , and she asked me what my next race was . I suddenly realised I had nothing lined up , so I just said the Durban 70.3 , which I thought was at the end of June . When I got off the set , I immediately looked up the date and saw I had just seven weeks to get ready for the race on the second of June ! In the end , I went into the race having done just one swim , two rides and two runs !” says Richard . “ Even though I had done so little training , I was determined just to get to the start line , because my philosophy is that a DNF is better than a DNS . I think we tend to focus on obstacles and thus hold ourselves back , but once we start , those obstacles often disappear .” Ironman Calling Richard began his Ironman journey in 2007 . He had done triathlons before , but had taken a six-year break from the sport while focusing on his marriage to Kirsten and pursuing his career in real estate . Then in November 2006 he decided he felt like racing again , partly because cracks had begun to appear in his marriage and he needed an outlet , and he went on to finish 23rd at the SA Long Course Champs that January . “ Then friends suggested I tackle the Ironman in PE , and I thought , what the hell ,” he says . Images : Courtesy Richard Wright Lessons in Survival Skills Lessons in Survival Skills ISSUE 136 DECEMBER 2020 / www . modernathlete . co . za 56 ROAD RUNNING In July 2019 I turned 60 and decided that I would tackle six big things in my 60 th year : Renew my wedding vows with Clive for our 40 th anniversary , have a big birthday party , run six 21km races as a 60-year-old , 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 , in the year of Corona . – BY TILDA TEARLE B etween July last year and February this year , I accomplished the first four , and my Comrades training was going well , although I was leaving qualifying a bit late . I entered the Bergville to Ladysmith , which was scheduled for 4 April , and I was confident that I would qualify there . However , at the beginning of March we started hearing rumours about a virus that originated in China , and was killing people all over the world . People were scared and unsure of what was going to happen in South Africa . At the same time , I became aware of a small peasized lump protruding from just above my left breast . I thought , maybe it is just a cyst and will go away . I also decided I will ignore it until after I had at least run the Bergville . The weeks went by , and suddenly we were told that we would be “ locked up ” for 21 days . Road races were being cancelled , and Comrades suddenly became a big question mark . I quickly made an appointment to go for a mammogram , as my suspected cyst had not disappeared . On the 23rd of March , I had the mammogram and was told that I needed a needle biopsy , but they could only do it after lockdown . The doctor didn ’ t think I was an urgent case … Topsy Turvy Days During lockdown I ran around our yard and driveway for a minimum of 45 minutes a day . I tanned in the yard , and in between I cleaned and cleaned , washing curtains and emptying every cupboard . Then on 20 April I got a call to say I can come in for the needle biopsy . After a few days of waiting , the doctor phoned to say it seemed the area around the lump was clear – they did not pierce the actual lump – but at some later stage , when COVID was gone and hospitals were safer , I should have the lump removed . It was a relief , but my gut feeling told me the lump must come out , so I asked for a few recommendations regarding surgeons , and eventually decided who I would see . Going into health care facilities during COVID times is no joke . Temperatures are taken , questions are asked , and before surgery , Covid tests are required . When I went to see the surgeon , he said “ it doesn ’ t seem like a sinister lump , but you never know ,” and he scheduled surgery for 17 June . I opted for a local anaesthetic , as the recovery would be quick and I could go home that same day . At the end of the surgery , the doctor said he didn ’ t need to see me again , as the stitches were the dissolving type . Two days later he phoned me to say I must come and Images : Action Photo SA & Courtesy Tilda Tearle Year of the Big C Year of the Big C Tilda and Clive tie the knot 40 years ago Tilda and Clive renew their vows 35 Former SA 80 ’ s popstar Jarrod Aston-Assenheim changed his life when he gave up smoking and drinking , and then began running , and is now fitter , healthier and happier than ever . Still working in the music industry , he has seen first-hand how the lockdown has affected many musicians , actors and performing artists , so he decided to tackle a lockdown run in early April to raise funds to help them . As he was supposed to run the Two Oceans Marathon then , he decided the lockdown run should be 58km … and he would do it on the balcony of his 13 th story flat in Cape Town ! – BY SEAN FALCONER O ne of the biggest hit songs of the mid-1980s in South Africa was a catchy tune called My Kind of Girl , by the band Cinema , with Jarrod Aston-Assenheim on lead vocals . Wherever the band played , they had the crowds dancing and singing along , and the song enjoyed wide airtime on both radio and TV . In fact , it still gets played on the radio quite often these days , more than 30 years later , says Jarrod , who is still working in the music business . “ I track songs as part of my work , and it was played about 2500 times across radio stations in South Africa last year . That ’ s why we are still getting royalty cheques for the song !” Now 53 , Jarrod is no longer in the limelight for his music , but his running did put him in the news again recently when he decided to do the fund-raising Indoor Ultra Marathon Challenge . “ I ’ ve been a music and entertainment professional for 35 years , and I have seen that the industry has been hit very hard since all events were cancelled due to the lockdown . I planned to run my second Two Oceans Ultra this year on 11 April , and with the event cancelled , I decided to use the opportunity to run 58km on my balcony in Sea Point that day to help support the guys and gals out there that have had their shows cancelled and incomes lost ,” he says . “ I then challenged two friends to join me , as they are in the same industry and are also clubmates of mine at Atlantic Athletic Club here in Cape Town . Stacey Rethman is a TV producer , while Brandon Moulder is stage manager for big theatre shows . Stace could do a garden run in George , where she was staying for the lockdown , but Brandon ’ s apartment doesn ’ t have a balcony , so he pledged to do cardio work for seven hours to accompany our runs . Next I set up a Backa-Buddy campaign page , with a fund-raising target of R20,000 , and asked friends to support us .” Different Sort of Scenery Having measured the balcony , Jarrod found that he had a 25-metre ‘ route ’ to work with , with a few bonuses to offset the obvious limitations . “ I ’ ve got a great balcony that wraps around the apartment , with great views of Lion ’ s Head and Signal Hill as well as the Promenade , so I felt it would be OK , but I had no idea what I had set myself up for . I started at 5:30am , had to run through a number of rain showers , and soon learnt to stop looking at my GPS watch !” says Jarrod . “ What really helped was logging into Facebook Live and chatting to people during the run . That took my mind off the monotony of it . A lot of musical friends logged in , and it was great to reminisce with people I worked with 30 years ago . I even had a chat with a friend in the USA that works as the lighting director for AC / DC and Aerosmith , and by the time I looked up , another 10km was done . I think I was holding the phone in my left hand and chatting for about three and a half hours of the run … and didn ’ t even realise I was doing it .” Jarrod crossed his finish line after seven hours and 32 minutes , and he says it was an incredible feeling to finish . “ I think I did about 2500 loops of the balcony , taking about 72,000 steps , and no matter what the GPS says , I reckon I actually ran 64km , not 58 ! You know , if somebody had said a few years ago that I would run an ultra on my balcony , I would just have laughed at them . But it ’ s like writing a song … you have to start the process properly , and the more you do it , the better you get !” At the time of writing the Challenge had brought in R28,460 , and Jarrod was in the process of distributing the money to artists and colleagues that needed help , with the plan to give R1500 to each person . “ Sadly , there are many that need help , which is not possible unless we raise more funds ,” he says . “ It doesn ’ t sound like much , giving them just R1500 each , but I really hope we can make people ’ s lives a bit easier for at least a couple of weeks . I know I am privileged to be in a position where my businesses are still running , and it feels good to be able to give back to this industry that has given me so much .” Musical Journey Begins Jarrod ’ s success in the world of pop music is actually quite surprising , given that he grew up listening to jazz , played the drums in the early part of his musical career , with only a back-up singing role . “ My father , who is now 90 , was a jazz drummer , and only retired at 80 . Jazz was my dream , and I wanted to study at the Berklee College of Music in the USA , but I ended up getting into pop bands instead . It started when a friend at Wits was a DJ and put me in touch with a band , Face to Face , that was looking for a drummer , and we had a big hit in 1984 with Here We Are . But I was still always listening to jazz , and jazz fusion .” Images : Jetline Action Photo & courtesy Jarrod Aston-Assenheim LOCKDOWN 43 in my Grandmother ’ s yard , watching both my parents succumbing to a lifestyle of unemployment , which leads to depression , drug abuse and sickness . As kids , we had to witness all of this , experience it , but I salute my older brother , Joswin , for looking after us younger brothers ,” he says . Things began to change in 2005 , when Reggie became friends with another young boy living in a children ’ s home . “ I visited him and liked it there , so I asked if I could stay there , too . I was only 13 , but I knew I wanted change , and somehow felt that there had to be more to life . The children ’ s home referred my case to the social welfare department , and not long after that , somebody came to look at our home situation . They said kids couldn ’ t live in such circumstances , and I told him about the children ’ s home nearby , so that ’ s how my younger brother , Roman , and I ended up in the home . We had only been there for a week or two when my dad passed away . Joswin had already moved out due to the verbally abusive conditions , so sadly , my dad died alone .” Reggie stayed in the children ’ s home till 2012 , then moved to Johannesburg to begin his studies at the University of Johannesburg , after earning a scholarship thanks to his race walking achievements . He had actually begun participating in athletics when he was only about seven or eight years old , thanks to members of the Schauderville community . “ We had guys in the community who were runners or involved in athletics , like Uncle Godfrey and Mr Leo , some of whom even served on the Board of Eastern Province Athletics ( EPA ), so we kids often went to races with them . We also used to run barefoot around the streets of PE , and in primary school I ran the 1500m , but I was only average middle-distance running ,” he says . Walking Talent It was when he began attending DF Malherbe High School that Reggie discovered he had a talent for race walking . “ One day I was teasing the walkers , when Aunty Doreen and the school athletics coach , Mr Martin Smith , challenged me to try it . I actually liked it , but it was only when I became provincial under-15 champion in grade nine that I started taking it seriously . I went to the National Schools Champs that year and finished 10th , then in 2008 won the bronze medal in the under-18 10,000m at SA Youth Camps . I was captain of the EP under-18 and under-20 teams , but I always seemed to finish fourth in most champs races . Living in a children ’ s home was not easy , and I went through a lot of emotional stuff , including an identity crisis , which all affected my performance .” After matriculating in 2009 , Reggie took a gap year in 2010 , then began studying sport management at Varity College in PE in 2011 . Later that year , at the SA Race Walking Champs in Cape Town , he met top SA walker Michelle Hopkins and asked her for training advice . She worked at the University of Johannesburg ( UJ ) at the time , and along with coach Carl Meyer , helped Reggie get a sport bursary to go study at UJ . Signed up for a diploma course in transportation management , Reggie says he struggled to adapt to the new sporting environment . “ At UJ , I was now a small fish in a very big pond . The standard of competition was so high , on another level , and my athletics career just went backwards … There was still some success , though . In my first year , in 2012 , I was fourth at the USSA Champs , and also got my Central Gauteng colours , which was a dream come true . By 2013 I was still competing , but that is when I started focusing more on my creative side , through acting and music , and even though I let my walking slide , I am still so thankful to UJ for giving me the opportunity in the first place ,” says Reggie . The transition from sport to the arts had actually begun as soon as Reggie arrived in Johannesburg . “ In 2012 I immediately got involved in acting , singing , writing and scriptwriting , and I tried to push all my energy into creating . It started with my first year residence play , then I auditioned at the UJ Arts Centre . UJ does not have an academic drama department , but students can still learn from some of the best in the industry through campus productions and activities . For that reason , I actually think I learnt more outside the classroom than inside while at UJ , and through adapting to the lifestyle of Joburg , so while my walking fell by the wayside , I feel like the university helped me a lot in finding myself .” Finding the Right Stage So , while Reggie completed his diploma course from 2012 to 2014 and tried to keep going with the walking , he was putting more and more focus on various other activities . “ I think I had always had a gift for creativity and arts , starting in high school . Since I was 14 , I had also had an on-off relationship with writing , and that really picked up at university when I started writing for Varsity Sport and the UJ newspaper . I think I tried to do too much at first , and didn ’ t focus on anything , but eventually it was the arts – writing , acting , music , producing – that won the day .” In 2013 he auditioned for a choir called Gospel Goes Beyond , which was signed to a record company , and in 2014 they put out an EP containing five tracks . Then in 2015 , while doing a bridging year to qualify to do a B . Tech degree , Reggie struck out on his own and enjoyed immediate success . “ That October , I won the UJ Can You Sing , which was like a UJ version of Idols , and that was a highlight for me in my university life . I had never really believed in competitions before , but I went out to win it .” In between the singing , he was also part of several stage productions that went to the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown . In 2016 Reggie started his B . Tech , but says he simply didn ’ t enjoy it , and by July had decided to drop out . “ By then I had gotten more involved in doing commentary for BackTrack Sports , writing and creating , and decided to focus on that as a career . Fortunately , I was then offered a short-term job with Stillwater Sports & Entertainment , so I moved to Stellenbosch in the Cape . I was hired to write and research , do commentary at events , and help Training at UJ Reggie with UJ team mates , including Michelle Hopkins Competing for Central Gauteng at the SA Champs WALKING 49 D ream Big . Those are the words that Joanna Maingard lives by in everything she does , including when she tackles long distance running and triathlon events . Dream Big is also the name the 25-year-old industrial psychologist from Durban chose for her 2020 World Marathon Fundraiser plan , which would see her run the Tralee , London , Prague , Amsterdam , Helsinki , Stockholm , Midnight Sun and Hamburg Marathons , in Ireland , the UK , Czech Republic , Netherlands , Finland , Sweden , Norway and Germany respectively . And she would do this to raise funds for the Coshulwazi Crèche in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands , to honour the memory of her late cousin , Jenna , who passed away aged just 12 . “ It was going to be a fairly hectic schedule over three months . The plan was for me to stay in Ireland for the first few weeks and run the first marathon , then head over to London ,” says Jo . “ Actually , the original plan didn ’ t include London , but when my aunt got an entry , I decided I wanted to run with her , so I wrote to Save the Rhino International and told them my story , and somehow I got in , too , on a charity entry . As a result , I was going to run London to raise money for rhino ’ s , while also raising funds for the crèche . The trip was going to finish with Hamburg , followed by two weeks in Portugal with friends , with the sole purpose of resting and eating as much as I liked as I recovered !” “ Besides the fundraising angle , I wanted to do the eight marathons so close together because I wanted to strip myself down to the core and see what I can achieve . I believe that you are capable of more than you can conceive , so you need to push your limits . Also , like Zac Effron in the Down to Earth series on Netflix , travelling the world to see how people live healthily , I planned to do something similar , to build my wellness library and experience as part of learning for my job . But the main reason was to raise funds in memory of my cousin , so when the trip had to be called off due to the pandemic , I had to go through a sort of grieving process ,” she says . Taken Too Soon Jo tells the story that even though Jenna was nine years younger than her , they were quite close . They also had a strong familial resemblance , and sometimes were even mistaken for each other . “ In April 2016 , Jenna was on holiday on our family farm in the Midlands when she caught what we all thought was normal flu . When she didn ’ t get better , my aunt and uncle took her to hospital , where she spent a month in ICU , but she just kept deteriorating .” “ I was in Stellenbosch at the time , busy with my studies , and I used to send her voice notes that her mom would play to her . On 17 May , I ran the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN , and later that day , I just had this feeling I needed to go home , so I phoned my mom and told her I was flying home to see Jenna . She was on a ventilator and we weren ’ t sure if she could hear us , but the doctors said she could . Two days later she passed away . She was only 12 , and had no previous health issues , so it was a massive shock for the whole family … but we also took a lesson from it , to live life to the fullest at all times . Now everything I do is in Jenna ’ s memory .” This saw Jo decide to dedicate part of 2020 to raising funds for the Coshulwazi Crèche , an informal township school situated about 3km from the family farm . “ It ’ s a cause very close to my heart , as my family adopted the crèche in 2016 after the passing of my cousin . We decided as a family to take the crèche under our wing , so we ’ ve built a new roof , erected a new ablution facility – because they had no running toilet – and put in a Jojo tank to collect water . Every Christmas and Easter we also give gifts to the kids ,” she says . “ I ’ ve always wanted to use my passion for running for something bigger than myself , so when I decided in December last year that I wanted to run eight marathons in eight different countries , I thought this would be a great chance to see more of the world and give back . My goal with the challenge was to raise R90,603 – Jenna ’ s birthdate was 9 June 2003 – in order to build another classroom for the crèche , which caters to around 60 children aged two to six . They have too little space in just one building for all the kids to learn in .” On Hold , For Now … With the trip to Europe cancelled , Jo says she found herself looking for a new running challenge . Having run the Soweto and Sani Stagger marathons last November , which were just three weeks apart and had prompted her to dream up the eight-marathon challenge , she had kept her training up in preparation for the big trip . But when lockdown began and level five restrictions meant that running could only be done around one ’ s house , Jo says she made the most of it . “ I was house-sitting for my parents in Mount Edgecombe , and I gave it a try by running loops around the house . It wasn ’ t great , but at least I could still run .” This was supposed to be Joanna Maingard ’ s big running year . Then COVID-19 arrived , international travel was stopped , running events were put on hold , and Jo had to do a rethink . The original plan she had put together was ambitious : To run eight international marathons in eight countries in just over three months , all to raise money for a cause close to her family ’ s heart . Unfortunately , the pandemic forced those plans to be put on ice , but that wasn ’ t going to stop Jo from running , or fundraising ! – BY SEAN FALCONER Images : Jetline Action Photo & courtesy Joanna Maingard Jo ’ s late cousin Jenna Jo is raising funds for the Coshulwazi Crèche 51 ROAD RUNNING Appreciative of Support When he talks about his running career , Sibusiso says one of the things he is most grateful for is the great support he has always received . Today he is fully sponsored by Under Armour , is coached by Stellenbosch-based Ernie Gruhn as part of Endurocad , and he is part of the Atlantic Athletic Club ’ s elite athlete programme . “ I am very thankful to all my supporters , including my sponsor , coach and club , because I have been helped by many who have contributed to my running success . I specifically want to mention Elisabeth Östberg from Sweden and Gail Mackenzie from Durban , who have been instrumental in my career , not only in running , but in life as well .” While recuperating from the attack , it was this gratitude , coupled with the experience of the attack , that prompted Sibusiso to decide to ‘ pay it forward ,’ by trying to help other young athletes in the same way that he has been helped in his career . “ I decided to do something to make a difference , so I identified five young athletes that I often run with at Mandela Park in Khayalitsha , whose parents and families are struggling . I looked at their home situations – a single parent , or parents not working , some having to collect recycling waste just to try make some money for food – and still these young runners are committed to their running . They have all represented Western Province .” “ I came up with an idea that I presented to Under Armour , to raise funds and donations to help these families with food parcels . They loved my plan , and in the end they did much more than I proposed . And so on 2 August we were able to give each family food parcels worth R1200 , and Under Armour also dressed all the runners with new shoes , shorts , shirts and caps . I am so proud to be part of this great brand !” More was to follow , with AAC clubmate Feryal Mešković contacting Sibusiso two days later with a further offer of support . “ She and her husband Thomas have been doing food parcel deliveries since May , and she told me she had more food parcels to give out , so could I identify more families in need . They gave us another 20 food parcels worth R500 each for these families , and more recently she gave me big boxes of FutureLife as well as pap to pass on to the young athletes . She has done an amazing thing ,” says Sibusiso . A Fresh Outlook With his plans for 2021 in place and steadily rebuilding his fitness , Sibusiso says he feels more fired up than ever about his running . “ I took two months off running after the stabbing , which was actually a good thing , because us athletes tend not to rest enough . I now realise that top runners actually need two or three months of proper rest after a big race , like a hard marathon , not just two or three weeks . So being booked off running for a few months was actually a good thing for me . I actually feel much better now , fresher , and my plan is to train hard now , so that I am ready when the races come back . That ’ s why I started a serious four-month training programme at the beginning September , and I think by January I am going to be in very good shape .” colours for Central Gauteng as well , before moving down to the Cape in late 2014 to join the Endurocad set-up managed by Elana Meyer . He subsequently earned Western Province colours multiple times as well , and through the years he has won 12 provincial titles , from the steeple chase and 10,000m on track , through 4km , 10km and 12km distance in cross country , to 10km and 21.1km distances on road . On the national stage , Sibusiso won the SA under-23 track titles in both the 3000m steeple chase and 10,000m in 2012 , and retained his steeple chase title in 2013 . Having finished fifth in the SA Cross Country Champs 12km in 2012 , he finished fourth overall and third in the under-23 category at the SA Champs 4km in 2013 . That same year he was part of the winning Central Gauteng team at the SA Half Marathon Champs . In 2017 he competed in the steeple chase on the European track circuit , but then changed focus to the road in 2018 , making it a habit to collect race wins in events such as the Gun Run 10km and the Peninsula , Mossel Bay and Safari Half Marathons . In 2018 he also made his marathon debut at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon , clocking 2:22 and helping the Western Province team win the SA Champs team category . He followed that up with a PB 2:21:37 in the 2019 race , earning a team silver with Western Province . He has also clocked personal bests of 28:58 ( 10km ) and 1:04:53 ( 21.1km ). Now that he has recovered from his wounds and is back running again , Sibusiso says it makes sense to simply roll his plans for 2020 over to 2021 , and that includes going back to the track to work on his speed over 5000m and 10,000m . “ My aim this year was to run 62 minutes at the SA 21km , then try to run sub-2:12 in an overseas marathon , but the Corona meant I could not do that . So , my plan for 2021 will be the same , with a marathon around October , either in Cape Town or in Europe . The first eight months of the year will be all about getting ready for that marathon , so I want to get into shape to run 28 or 29 minutes for 10km , and 62 or 63 minutes for 21km .” Getting the food packs ready for distribution , with sponsor Under Armour Joining Feryal and Thomas Mešković to hand out more food parcels Ready to get racing again after the long lockdown 53 MULTISPORT In spite of falling ill two weeks before the race , throwing up during the swim and again during the run , even temporarily bailing during the run , Richard still managed to finish 57th overall in a very respectable 10 hours and 20 minutes . Having moved from Joburg to PE after that race , he was back in 2008 and clocked a 9:17 to finish 16th overall and first agegroup athlete , which earned him a coveted slot for the Ironman World Champs in Kona , Hawaii . However , Kirsten had fallen pregnant with their second daughter and Richard decided not to go . He skipped the 2009 Ironman in PE due to glandular fever , then raced again in 2010 and finished 27th overall to once again qualify for Kona , but by then his divorce was going through , followed by Kirsten moving back to Joburg with their daughters Mackinnon and Bailey . That put paid to thoughts of triathlon as he moved back to Joburg to be close to his daughters , taking up the position of National Training Manager for Pam Golding Properties . “ When I moved out of Joburg , said I would never go back , but when my ex-wife moved back there with my girls , I had to get my head around it and embrace it . The cost of not doing that would have been too high – not being with my girls ,” says Richard . In 2012 and 2014 he raced Ironman SA at a slower pace to help his CEO , Andrew Golding , through his first few Ironman events , and as a token of thanks , Andrew offered to sponsor Richard ’ s trip to Kona . “ He said , I think you have unfinished business in Kona , and asked what it would cost him to send me to Kona if I could get a slot . It was a massive gesture by an incredible human being .” However , Richard ’ s Kona dream was then dealt a massive blow , one that was to change the whole pattern of his life . Shocking News In 2006 , Richard had been diagnosed with very high Prolactin levels , a warning sign that something may be wrong with the pituitary gland . “ The neurosurgeon then found a small lump on my pituitary and started me on medication , and it appeared the tumour responded , so surgery was not required . However , I periodically still got piercing headaches and suffered from fatigue , which I would then take medication for , until October 2015 , when the medication no longer seemed to help . Suddenly I couldn ’ t train in the heat or handle sun , I became really emotional , and it felt like I was falling apart .” A week before Ironman 2016 , Richard ’ s blood tests showed cancer markers , and the neurosurgeon said he should rather not race , but Richard says , “ I told him I know how to do it slowly , which I did , under the careful supervision of race doctor Conrad von Hagen , who had been my GP in PE . I was pretty chuffed with my 11:30 finishing time , although I still don ’ t quite know how I did it .” Just five days later Richard was undergoing a spinal tap test , and that resulted in him being booked in for immediate brain surgery . The doctors had found that the tumour had grown and turned cancerous , and was squashing the pituitary gland against the brain , causing the headaches and hormonal imbalance . They had to go in through his nose to remove the tumour . Seven weeks later , a scan showed another spot on the pituitary gland , and one on the underside of the brain , and Richard was given the shocking news by the doctors that they believed he probably only had six months left . “ Nothing can prepare you for that , and I fell apart , but then I got really angry , and decided this was not my destiny , that my girls are my reason for living , and that I was going to fight it . I went ballistic on trying literally everything I could find to help my recovery , and miraculously in August , the scans were clear , so I went back to working full-time as well as training for Ironman .” Training was going well when another curveball arrived in January 2017 – the cancer was back , and Richard says he fell apart once again . “ I thought I had survived it , and was feeling better , only to be told it was back . I started a new six-month chemo treatment – five days on , 23 days off – but decided that I was still going to do Ironman , so I got the doctors to structure it so that the race would fall on the 28th day of the chemo cycle , the best possible day for me to race . I don ’ t think people realise how important Ironman is to me – because I know that if I can do Ironman , I can beat cancer .” After being cleared by Conrad to start , Richard cruised the swim and bike legs , and then found he was actually able to still run in the final leg – until the second lap . “ I knew it was going to hurt , due to my lack of training , but then my body just clocked out . The tears rolled down my cheeks and I wanted Richard and his daughters Bailey ( left ) and Mckinnon 57 ROAD RUNNING see him on the Monday , because he needed to operate on me on Tuesday , as the lump was malignant . I actually can ’ t remember how I felt after that phone call . I think I was operating on automatic , and in shock . I let my friends , family and work colleagues know what was going on , and I know that I was immediately put on many people ’ s prayer lists . Clive was in shock and came home from work early . A New Fight At the Monday appointment the surgeon explained that he would do a wider cut , and would also take out lymph glands under my arm until they found a clear one . He said go home and explain this to your husband . He also said that if I had a mastectomy , I wouldn ’ t need radiation . I knew I wanted to keep my boob – I am a girl and need those . Both of them . After all , boobs are works of art and protect your heart ! I could not believe that I was actually sitting there listening to a doctor say the test results cannot be disputed and that the lump was malignant ! My gut feeling had been so right , but I could not help thinking to myself that health-wise , I have always done everything right – ate the right food , exercised , didn ’ t drink too much alcohol and didn ’ t smoke – so perhaps I should have lived a less healthy life ? I went home and packed an overnight bag , but I said to myself that I am going to do everything it takes to go home the same day as the op , and sleep in my own bed . I knew that I was facing Goliath , and that I would have to become David . I had planned to do six big things in my 60th year , but fighting the ‘ Big C ’ was not one I had imagined doing . Testing Times On 24 June , Clive dropped me off at Entabeni Hospital , because during COVID times nobody is allowed to go into the hospital with you , and you are not allowed visitors . After a mound of paperwork , I got to the ward , and then it was time for other tests to be done . I had blood and urine tests , and then I was wheeled down to the scanning section in a wheelchair . Here they injected colour into my nipple and placed me under a scanning machine . This shows where the lymph glands are situated , which enables the surgeon to remove them . From there it was back in the wheelchair with the porter driving . I went for a chest X-ray and an abdominal scan , as they were checking for any other tumours . When I got back to the ward , I had to put on my blue gown and blue throw-away panties , and wait to go to theatre . I must add that I had all my usual makeup on , including red lipstick hidden under my mask . I finally got into the theatre at about 3:30pm , and when I came round again , the surgeon told me no further malignancy was found . He said I could go home and see him again after a week . I got home at 8pm and proceeded to vomit like I had just run Comrades . I did not know that anaesthetics do this to me . I was really ill ! Running & Radiation On 30 June I went back to see the surgeon . He checked the wounds , and I asked , “ Can I run yet ?” He looked at me and probably knew I would run , with or without approval . He also told me that I now needed to see an oncologist . I could not believe it , as I thought everything was OK . He immediately said to me that he had told me I would require radiation , so an appointment was booked with the oncologist for the next day . I was told I would need 20 radiation treatments – one every day except during weekends ! A Comrades Marathon Legend With her blonde hair tied in trademark ponytails , Tilda Tearle is part of Comrades Marathon folklore . She finished seventh in 1988 , sixth in 1989 , fourth in 1990 , third in 1991 and second in 1992 , so she lined up one of the favourites in 1993 . She duly took the coveted title , and says , “ I just had to come first in 1993 . I remember the day quite well . I had a virtually problemfree run . I didn ’ t take the lead until Cowies Hill , with 16km to go , but had paced myself conservatively , so I had what I needed to run hard from there .” She broke the tape in 6:55:07 , more than five minutes ahead of Rae Bisschoff , also claiming her third gold medal and seventh out of nine top 10 finishes . Tilda started running in 1983 and ran her first Comrades a year later . “ There was a guy in the office where I worked who was running Comrades in 1983 . He was always on about it ! I then said to him that I would start running and run it the following year . He was quite sceptical , but after a few months he realised that he had competition ,” says Tilda . He took her to join Savages Athletic Club in Durban , and she has been a member ever since . A year later , Tilda beat her office colleague by a full hour-and-a-half in the 1984 Comrades . While the Comrades has been her main focus , Tilda also finished second in the Two Oceans Marathon in 1993 and third in 1991 , and ran her best marathon time of 2:48 at the old Ford Marathon in Durban . In 2017 Tilda became just the second woman to complete the Comrades 30 times , and as an avid long distance swimmer , she has also completed the Midmar Mile 22 times . She still runs regularly , notably with the Regent Harriers in Durban North , where she is a proud member of the ‘ TAFTA Express ’ group . “ We ’ re named after the welfare organisation The Association For The Aged ,” she explains with a chuckle . 57 Finishing her 30 th Comrades with Gina Hinchcliffe of Stella Winning Comrades 1993 First steps to greatness … Comrades 1984 – BY SEAN FALCONER So , now it ’ s up to you to put your feet up for a while and give these wonderful stories a read . If you get even a fraction of the inspiration that I did from these stories , then it will have been time well spent .