CONTENTS
In the Mag this Month
Welcome to the March edition . You can click on the page numbers below to go straight to the article of your choice .
WARMING UP
6
7 8 12 14
Pg 28
Pg 16
Pg 24
Pg 38
Pg 52
The Ed ’ s Desk : Trying to Stay Positive
With talk of a third COVID wave arriving any day , and many businesses facing an increasing challenge to survive these troubled times , I think we all need to try stay as positive as can . Hard , I know , but essential . – BY SEAN FALCONER
Subscribe to Modern Athlete
It ’ s so simple to receive every edition of SA ’ s biggest running publication , and by subscribing , you will receive a monthly mailer containing the link to read the mag online , and you can also download or print it , if you prefer .
Have Your Say
Celebrating Chariots of Fire , volunteer firefighters , pardon me Mr President , Permanent Numbers on hold , Bruce ’ s amazing book , Long lost friends on a mountain , Tilda ’ s friendly rivalry continues , and Comrades vs Ironman .
Runner ’ s High
Each month we publish a great running pic of a great running place , and this month we ’ re on the Sea Point Promenade . We ’ re always looking for contributions , so feel free send us your pic !
Kalmer ’ s Corner : Powered by Music
They say the power of music is in the emotions it unlocks in our minds , hearts and souls , and of course , this also applies in our running careers , as I quickly found out when thinking about some of my favourite songs . – BY RENÉ KALMER
On the cover
Under Armour Brand Ambassador Raydon Balie . Photograph courtesy Under Armour
MARCH 2021 ISSUE 139
Raydon Balie
Nothing Motivates Like a New Sponsorship Deal
Karoline Hanks
New Women ’ s FKT for 13 Peaks ( for 13 Turtles )
The Running Mann
Looking for Hills in Holland
Roadies vs Trailers
AfricanX Shaping Up to be Showdown of Note
Great Plate Debate
Can Your Next Running Shoes Ensure You Break Your PBs ?
www . modernathlete . co . za SA ’ s Biggest Running Publication
Cover Image courtesy Under Armour
4 ISSUE 139 WIN MARCH New 2021 Balance / www 880 v11 1 . modernathlete Shoes - Treasure . co . za Hunt , page 4
C o
C o
SPECIAL FEATURE
16
ROAD RUNNING l u m n l u m n
C o
24
28
TRAIL RUNNING SECTION l u m n
Green Runners : 13 Peaks for 13 Turtles
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 . Fortunately , there are dedicated people working to protect and conserve the environment , including a number of incredible people from within the running community . This month we focus on Cape Town trail runner and environmental campaigner Karoline Hanks , who set a second women ’ s FKT ( Fastest Known Time ) for the 13 Peaks Challenge , and she did it all to help efforts to rehabilitate and conserve turtles . – BY SEAN FALCONER , WITH KAROLINE HANKS
The Running Mann : Looking for Hills in Holland
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 some great memories of races in years gone by , and this month I ’ m revisiting my notes from three work trips to the Netherlands that all included a great marathon experience . – BY STUART MANN
Motivated to Move Up
While he enjoyed much success in trail running in his younger days , Raydon Balie now has his sights set firmly on chasing success on the road , and the recent announcement that he had won a gear sponsorship and brand ambassador role from Under Armour has just motivated him still further . – BY SEAN FALCONER
WALKING SECTION
Walk This Way : Back to
31 School
The few times that I have gone to a race as a spectator , some people who I know well have walked right past me , obviously not recognising me without my athletic clothes on . The same goes for me in my professional career , because being an athlete has never been my ‘ job ,’ and yet , very few people actually know what I do for a living . – BY ANEL OOSTHUIZEN
38
All Roads Lead to the AFRICANX
South Africa ’ s premier three-day stage trail running event , the THIRSTI AFRICANX Trailrun , will take place at the end of March , but thanks to COVID , this year ’ s event will be very different to previous years , as it has attracted some seriously speedy road running elites who want to give the trails a run for their money . – BY JACKY
McCLEAN & SEAN FALCONER
43
Trail ( Mis ) Adventures : Ready for More Loops
So , let me tell you about the new , super-exciting format of trail running that has developed thanks to lockdown , the Backyard Ultra Series South Africa . – BY CARLA FARINA