CONTENTS
In the Mag this Month
Welcome to the ( slightly delayed ) May edition . You can click on the page numbers below to go straight to the article of your choice .
WARMING UP
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The Ed ’ s Desk : Once Bitten , Twice Shy
This edition is a wee bit late in appearing , because life took a big bite out of my month … literally and figuratively . It all started when I took my dogs for their usual evening walk . – BY SEAN FALCONER
Have Your Say
Readers with something on their minds that they want to share , including staying safe while training on the roads , harnessing your competitive spirit , missing the races , and reminiscing about medals proudly earned .
On the cover
Ann Ashworth takes in the view during a training run in KZN . Photograph by David Ashworth Inset : Ann and David Ashworth in action during the Ultra-Trail Drakensburg Photograph by Cuan Walker
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TRAIL RUNNING SECTION l u m n
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Winning Drakensberg Debut
In April , former Comrades Marathon winner Ann Ashworth literally dived in at the deep end when she tackled her first technical trail race at the Ultra-Trail Drakensberg , and in spite of the challenges posed by altitude , nutrition , gear and navigation , and running the longest race of her life – plus keeping husband David chatting – she ended up setting a new course record . – BY SEAN FALCONER
Trail ( Mis ) Adventures : Top 10 of Trail
So , do you know what the absolute worst part of trail running is ? It ’ s not the blisters , nor the chafe . It ’ s not the getting lost , and it ’ s not the tough climbs and ( sometimes ) awful conditions . No , the worst part of trail running is NOT trail running . – BY CARLA FARINA
Chasing the Dragon
Translated into English , the name of the Drakensberg Mountains means Dragon Mountain , and thus it is appropriate that the catchphrase of the X-Berg Challenge is “ Chasing the Dragon .” This incredible event pits endurance athletes from different sports against each other and the majestic mountains , and I had the privilege to experience it for the first time this March . – BY DAWN NUNES
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MAY 2021 ISSUE 141
Wayde van Niekerk
Feeling at home in the US
Kenneth Mookeng
Charity Run to Makhado
Ultra-Trail Dream Debut
New Course Record for 2018 Comrades Winner Ann Ashworth at UTD
www . modernathlete . co . za
Motivated To Move
A Mother ’ s Worst Fear
Dawn Nunes
Chasing Dragons
Tokyo Games
Can They Go Ahead ?
SA ’ s Biggest Running Publication
Treasure Hunt : WIN an adidas voucher worth R2000 , page 1 6
SA ’ s Biggest
Cover Images : David Ashworth & Cuan Walker
ISSUE 141 MAY 2021 / www . modernathlete . co . za
Running Publication
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Pg 33
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ROAD RUNNING l u m n l u m n
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On the Road to Makhado
When a runner has a dream to use his running to help those in need , it should come as no surprise when his running community rallies to support him . Even if it means running 400km from Pretoria to Makhado . – BY KENNETH MOOKENG
Kalmer ’ s Corner : Thank You , Mom !
In May we celebrate our mothers on the second Sunday of the month . May is also the start of cross-country season , and I ’ m going to use this opportunity to celebrate my mother and the huge role she is still playing in my life and running career . – BY RENÉ KALMER
Never Stop Moving !
Even though I grew up poor and didn ’ t have it all , and even though I have had 12 operations , and even though I work full-time to provide for my children , especially for their medical needs , that running has saved me and my family . It has taught me to never give up , to be stronger , to be grateful for every breath I take . So I will never stop moving ! – BY ALICIA OPPERMAN
The Running Mann : Use Goals to Drive your Journey
Due to the COVID-19 lockdown , I have not been able to get my usual marathoning and travel fix in for a while , so this month I ’ d once again like to delve into the world of business , and how lessons learnt in running can be applied to that very different world . – BY STUART MANN