CONTENTS
In the Mag this Month
Welcome to the February edition . You can click on the page numbers below to go straight to the article of your choice .
Pg 24
Pg 58
Pg 44
2
WARMING UP
4
6 10 12
The Ed ’ s Desk : Looking for a Good View
While I haven ’ t been able to do much running of late , I have been privileged to do some hiking , which brought stunning views and great chats with great people . The good things in life ! – BY SEAN FALCONER
Have Your Say
Friendly support at the Common , Barefoot Comrades challenge , Tygerberg Nature Reserve recommended , a debate about Comrades memorabilia on sale to the general public , and more .
Runner ’ s High
Each month we publish a great running pic of a great running place , and this month we ’ re on the Cape Peninsula . We ’ re always looking for contributions , so feel free send us your pic !
Kalmer ’ s Corner : Memorable Firsts
The other day , my almost four-year-old daughter said , “ Mom , why do you run every day ?” I answered , “ Karli , do you know that before you were born , running was my job ?” She responded , “ Whaaaaaaat ?” – BY RENÉ KALMER
On the cover
Elite trail runner and professional vet Naomi Brand . Photograph by Xavier Briel
FEBRUARY 2021 ISSUE 138
Ntombi Mfunzi
Rape Victim to Running Victor
Nick Quenet
Back to His Tri Best After Heart Surgery
Life-changing Experience
Ed & Riaan ’ s # HellOfaRun at the Skyrun
www . modernathlete . co . za Cover image by Xavier Briel
Green Runners
Part 2 of our Tribute to the Eco-warriors including trail runner vet
Naomi Brand
Denzel Swarts
Walking a Unique Winelands Road
On Your Marks
SA ’ s Top Sprinters Chasing Olympic Glory as a Team
SA ’ s Biggest Running Publication
WIN a Tekkie Town Shoe Voucher : Treasure Hunt Starts Page 1 4
ISSUE 138 FEBRUARY 2021 / www . modernathlete . co . za
Pg 14
Pg 52
Pg 56
C o
C o
SPECIAL FEATURE
ROAD RUNNING
l u m n
l u m n
OPINION
14
22
24
26
28
40
Green Runners ( Part 2 )
The natural environment is vitally important to all of us , but the way we live and the resources we use cause widespread damage to it , and even running can be destructive or damaging . Fortunately , there are dedicated people working to protect and conserve the environment , including a number of incredible people from within the running community . – BY SEAN FALCONER
Sport Man Says : Right Way to Return to Racing
While there is constant discussion on how to get road running going again , specifically to get mass participation events back on the calendar , I think we are missing a vital step here . In order for the sport to survive , we first need to take care of our elites . – BY MANFRED SEIDLER
Victor , not Victim
In her successful running career , Ntombesintu Mfunzi has represented her country numerous times and won four gold medals in the Two Oceans Marathon . Remarkably , her third Two Oceans gold in 2017 came just five months after she was violently raped . In a powerful new book , Yoyisa ( Overcome ), written by Matshelane Mamabolo , she tells how running helped ease her pain and put her on the road to recovery .
Confined Comrade
I ’ d like to share with you my personal story about living alone and experiencing running loops in my garden , and about surviving lockdown during the first 35 days of lockdown , when we weren ’ t allowed to run on the streets . It ’ s my story , as a runner , making the best of the lockdown . – BY ASTRID FISCHER-THOLE
The Running Mann : Nordic Adventures
I am not able to get my usual marathoning fix in right now , but I do have great memories of races in years gone by , and this month I ’ m looking back on three trips to Nordic climes in Finland , Denmark and Iceland ! – BY STUART MANN
It ’ s an Election Year
With the announcement of the next ASA elections scheduled in May , I think we need to have a discussion about due process , transparency , constitutional matters and more , because the current system is not working properly . Importantly , this is a layman ’ s take on things , as I am no lawyer , but I am a passionate athlete who has competed and officiated in our sport for four decades . – BY NORRIE WILLIAMSON