CONTENTS
In the Mag this Month
Welcome to the ( slightly delayed ) June edition . You can click on the page numbers below to go straight to the article of your choice .
Pg 14
Pg 44
Pg 28
WARMING UP
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10
The Ed ’ s Desk : Another Hill to Climb
We ’ re back to a level 4 lockdown and running events are on hold again , but for now our focus must be on staying safe and flattening the curve . But we can still run , and hopefully being fit and healthy
will help us avoid the virus . – BY SEAN FALCONER
Have Your Say
Readers with something on their minds that they want to share , including staying safe and looking
forward to things getting back to normal after COVID , memories of Comrades , and realisations of a late starter in running .
JUNE 2021 ISSUE 142
Unexpected World Record
Irvette van Zyl Extends SA ’ s 50km Heritage
Timbavati Traverse
Bush Run for The Rhinos
100 Years of The Comrades
Centenary Celebrations For World ’ s Greatest Ultra
www . modernathlete . co . za SA ’ s Biggest Running Publication
Cover Image : Tobias Ginsberg
Sport Man Says : A New Dawn
The recent national executive elections at the Athletics South Africa Quadrennial General Meeting delivered a resounding statement from the athletics community : “ We want change .” – BY MANFRED SEIDLER
On the cover
Irvette van Zyl leads the way in the Nedbank Runified 50km Breaking Barriers race . Photograph by Tobia Ginsberg
WIN a pair of ASICS Kayano Lite 2
TREASURE HUNT
2 ISSUE 142 JUNE 2021 / www . modernathlete . co . za
SA ’ s Biggest Running Publication
C o l u m n
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ROAD RUNNING
l u m n l u m n
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COMRADES CENTENARY l u m n
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What a Comeback !
Every runner dreams of having that perfect race , when you feel like you could run all day . For Irvette van Zyl , 23 May was one of those days , and it brought her an unexpected new IAU 50km World Record . Not just because she was supposed to withdraw after setting the pace for 30km , but because just over a year ago she thought her running career may be over . – BY SEAN FALCONER
Kalmer ’ s Corner : A Date With Spar
Last month hubby and I were very excited to dress up and head out for our first ‘ date night ’ since becoming a family of four , and we greatly enjoyed catching up with good friends from the SPAR family . – BY RENÉ KALMER
Inspired by the Bus Driver
In his new book , The Bus Driver : Leadership Lessons from Running Comrades , author Modiba Lazarus Malebana draws on his experience of running in a pacing bus in the Comrades Marathon to write a metaphorical guide to good leadership . It ’ s a unique take on the Ultimate Human Race , and we have selected a few extracts to give you a taste of the book . – COMPILED BY SEAN FALCONER
The Running Mann : Be Mindful of the Middle
Due to the COVID-19 lockdown , I have not been able to get my usual marathoning and travel fix in for a while , so here is another instalment of the lessons I ’ ve learnt in running that can be applied to the business world . – BY STUART MANN
Happy Birthday , Comrades !
On 24 May , the Comrades Marathon Association celebrated the 100- year anniversary of the first Comrades Marathon on 24 May 1921 , with a commemorative Centenary Run and gala event at Comrades House in Pietermaritzburg . With a veritable who ’ s who of Comrades history in attendance , it was a fitting way to celebrate a century of the Ultimate Human Race . – BY SEAN FALCONER
The 100 th Year Run
Early in the year , I had decided that the best way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first Comrades Marathon was with a run along the route , and I had hoped that there would be an official tribute run organised , but as we got closer to 24 May , the chances of that happening dwindled very quickly . So , I decided to still run the route , even if I had to do it by myself . – BY KEITH REYNOLDS
Out of the Box : Legends of Comrades Lore
The 100-year history of the Comrades Marathon is full of legendary characters , including Arthur Newton and Bill Payn , whose legacy continues to inspire the Comrades spirit , as I found on a recent visit to the town of Harding . – BY NORRIE WILLIAMSON