CONTENTS
EDITOR ’ S PICKS OF THE YEAR
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The Best of 2020
It ’ s been one hell of a year – literally and figuratively – and while most of us were looking forward to a restful and fun Festive Season , we ’ re now facing a seemingly bigger COVID threat than earlier this year . Thankfully , though , we can still go for a run , which helps immensely to maintain one ’ s spirits , even one ’ s sanity , in these challenging times . For that reason , I decided to dedicate this December edition to a look-back over the year , by choosing a stand-out Editor ’ s Pick feature from each of our 2020 editions . These stories will give you a great kickstart for the New Year ’ s running . – BY SEAN FALCONER
Seven Times Seven
The World Marathon Challenge is a unique running feat that only a small handful of runners will ever complete , but that ’ s what Nontuthuko Mgabhi will be doing from 6 to 12 February – and this will make her the first South African woman to complete this incredible challenge . – BY MANFRED SEIDLER
Icy Adventure in Antarctica
Even though his 2019 racing plans had never featured the Antarctic Ice Marathon in December , Mauritz Jansen van Rensburg flew to the proverbial bottom of the earth to tackle his fourth international marathon of a crazy year , and third in three months , and came home with a podium finish , as well as a great story . – BY SEAN FALCONER
Running From Darkness
Modern Athlete columnist and features writer Peter ‘ PJ ’ Moses has come a long , long way since his days with a gang on the streets of Bonteheuwel in Cape Town , and he is attributes his ongoing journey of redemption to becoming a runner , in order to give his life new purpose and meaning . Join him as he looks back on the road he has travelled since his first race in 2013 , and celebrate his triumphs with him .
The Home Ironman Experience A . K . A . My First Triathlon
Can a marathon runner complete a full Ironman on the back of running training alone , with no previous bike or swim training ? I used the COVID-19 lockdown to reinvent conventional stupidity by attempting a backyard Home Ironman for charity . This is the epic tale of exactly what happened , and how I raised over R42,000 for Just The One Foundation . – BY STUART MANN
Two Oceans on the 13 th Floor
Former SA 80 ’ s popstar Jarrod Aston-Assenheim changed his life when he gave up smoking and drinking , and began running , and he is now fitter , healthier and happier than ever . Still working in the music industry , he saw first-hand how the lockdown has affected many performing artists , so he decided to tackle a lockdown run to raise funds to help them . And thus he ran the Two Oceans Marathon on the balcony of his 13th story flat in Cape Town ! – BY SEAN FALCONER
Walking to Stardom
With his unmissable hairstyle , 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 , which had taken him from a children ’ s home in Port Elizabeth to varsity and the big stage in Johannesburg . – BY SEAN FALCONER
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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 : Alastair Thorn , Arnold Geerdts , Gareth Knott , Gillian Denempont , Mario Hendricks , Tilda Tearle
Marathon Plans Postponed
This was supposed to be Joanna Maingard ’ s big running year , with an ambitious plan 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 . Then COVID-19 arrived , international travel and running events were put on hold , and Jo had to do a rethink , but that wasn ’ t going to stop Jo from running , or fundraising ! – BY SEAN FALCONER
Stabbing Motivation
Saturday 12 May is a day that well-known 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
Lessons in Survival Skills
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
Year of the Big C
In July 2019 I turned 60 and decided that I would tackle six big things in my 60 th year , including renew my wedding vows , swim the Midmar mile , run the Comrades Marathon for the 31 st 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
IMAGES Photo Agencies & Professional Photographers : Action Photo SA , Adventure Life SA , Martyn Mulder , Pexels , Reblex Photography , Roger Sedres / ImageSA , Shutterstock , Xavier Briel Non-professional Photographers : Alistair Thorn , Clive Idas , Gillian Denempont , Roger Gundry Courtesy : Anel Oosthuizen , Antarctica Ice Marathon , Bookpeddler , Carina Viljoen , Carla Lea Farina , Google Images , Jarrod Aston-Assenheim , Joanna Maingard , KZN Trail Running , Mario Hendricks , Midmar Mile , Murray & Roberts Running Club , Nontuthuka Mgabhi , PJ Moses , Reggie Hufkie , René Kalmer , Rhino Peak Challenge , Richard Wright , Sibusiso Madikizela , Stuart Mann , Tilda Tearle , Twilight Trail Run , Under Armour
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