THE ED ’ S DESK
by SEAN FALCONER the ed ’ s desk
It ’ s a Small World
Sometimes the world can be a really small place , as the saying goes . That ’ s how I felt this month when I found out something quite unexpected while conducting an interview for one of the feature articles in this edition , relating to commentary work I did at an event some years back .
As I was chatting to Natascha van Zyl , she told me that she had run the Sanlam Cape Town Peace Trail Run 22km in 2017 , on the spur of the moment , with little training , after her sister , Manuella , offered her a substitute entry . It was her first official running race in many years – doctors had told her to stop running after a knee operation in 1992 – but she wanted to run in memory of her daughter Stephanie , who had unexpectedly passed away earlier that year . ( You should read the full article for that heart-breaking but uplifting story .)
Getting back to the trail run , Natascha recounted how she took great strain on the extremely hilly course that went straight up Signal Hill and then on to the slopes of Lion ’ s Head and Table Mountain . “ In the end I was out there for four and a half slow , tough , painful hours , but when I eventually finished , the commentator made me feel like I had won the event ,” she said . “ I think Manuella must have told him my story , because he knew I was running in memory of my daughter , and mentioned her over the microphone . It was so incredibly special .”
As she told me this story , I thought , hang on a minute , I ’ ve been the commentator at that event for a number of years , so that must have been me ! I quickly checked my commentary log and there it was ... I was on the mic that day . And then the memory slowly came back , of me saying something along the lines of “ Natascha , Stef would be so proud of you today .” What a small world , to find myself , just under four years later , interviewing Natascha , and finding out the story behind that special shout-out .
As I told her , it has been my privilege to bring quite a few ‘ late finishers ’ over the line since I began doing commentary work in 2010 , and I always try to find out something about them , from waiting clubmates , family or friends , in order to give them a special welcome home . I wouldn ’ t have known at the time just how special this one was , but looking back now , I am so glad that I could play a small role in paying tribute to a beloved daughter . And once again it reinforces my love of running , a sport that has the power to unite us , to help us heal , and to give us a new sense of purpose . Thank you for sharing your story with all of us , Natascha .
In Other Inspirational News …
Another interview that really ‘ spoke ’ to me this month was my chat with Henry Cock .
I had written about him last year during the ‘ hard lockdown ,’ when he ran 90km in his passage at home , doing 6000 laps of a 15m route in 11 and a half hours , to raise funds for his restaurant staff . And he did it barefoot , too , with almost no running background or training . Keep in mind , that was when we were all running around our houses , or even on balconies , because we weren ’ t allowed to leave our properties . It seems like a lifetime ago already !
This new story on him is even more remarkable , given what the goal he has set himself , to run 133 half marathons on consecutive days as he makes his way around the South African coastline from Mozambique to Namibia . Yes , he ’ s chasing a Guinness World Record , but his run is about so much more than just a new record , as you will find out when you read the story behind his Mentally Aweh Challenge .
These 17 months ( so far ) of lockdown restrictions have focused a lot more attention on matters of mental health , including depression and anxiety , as people have struggled to cope with the so-call ‘ new normal ’ of social distancing and enforced isolation . Henry is brutally honest about his own struggles with mental health , and explains that doing something to raise awareness of mental health issues , and to raise funds for those who help people with these issues , is what is driving him on in his quest to reach his finish line in Vioolsdrif . The record is just an extra motivation to get back out there and run each day .
Enjoy the Read , Folks
These are just two of the great stories in our latest edition , and I ’ d also like to say a special welcome to race walker Zelda Botha , who makes her debut this month as a new columnist in the mag . I hope this edition motivates you all to lace up your running shoes and get out there for a run or walk . And of course , stay safe , wear your mask , wash your hands regularly , and get your vaccination jabs ASAP , and then hopefully soon we will all be running together again .
Sean Falconer
Image : Nicole Hayes
4 ISSUE 144 AUGUST 2021 / www . modernathlete . co . za