RUN SPECIALIST
MFANAFUTHI
MCHUNI
TOTALSPORTS GATEWAY , DURBAN
WHAT IS YOUR RUNNING BACKGROUND ? I have been running for about a year and a half , since starting here at Totalsports , and I am now up to training five times a week . I average anything from 5km to 25km per week , depending on what block of training I am in .
WHY ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT RUNNING ? I ’ m passionate about running because it keeps me mentally and physically fit . It also allows me to interact with customers who are runners on a whole new level , making it exciting .
MM
WHEN STARTING A SESSION WITH A CUSTOMER , WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU ASK ? What distance do you run and how often do you run ? Following that , do you know your running style ? And finally , how much are you willing to spend ?
HOW ARE YOU QUALIFIED TO BE A RUNNING SPECIALIST ? I ’ ve been lucky enough to be part of the Totalsports Run Specialist Academy , where I was trained on everything running-related , as well as the different types of running shoes people should use , depending on the type of runner they are . I have also done a lot of research into different brands of running shoes and the tech that goes into these shoes , and alongside this , I have learnt about different gait patterns and how this affects running .
WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH RUNNERS THAT COME INTO YOUR STORE , I . E . WHAT DO RUNNERS NOT KNOW THAT THEY SHOULD ? The most common problem that I encounter is customers don ’ t know their running style , as well as customers that don ’ t know the difference between a short or a long run !
HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO TALK TO YOU BEFORE BUYING ANY RUNNING PRODUCTS ? It is very Important ! If a customer talks to me first , I can give them the best advice on the product they should buy for their running goals , and most importantly , I will get them the right shoe to suit their running style .
IS BEING BASED IN A STORE LIKE TOTALSPORTS AN ADVANTAGE , AS YOU HAVE ACCESS TO ALL THE BRANDS ? Yes , it is an advantage , as I get to know all the different brands we offer , and it also helps me to interact with different people who like different things , because we have it all !
HOW DO YOU KEEP UP TO DATE WITH SPORTS TECHNOLOGY , SO YOU CAN RECOMMEND THE BEST PRODUCT MATCH FOR CUSTOMERS ? I research every new running shoe that arrives in our store , as well as seek advice from the running reps that come into our store during the weekends . We also have the new Totalsports app , Yoobic Boost , which informs us on all new products .
WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR ANYONE GETTING INTO RUNNING ? Firstly , find out your running style and gait , as this will tell you what the right shoe for you to run in is . Then invest in a good running shoe that will last you longer and make you want to run all the time !
66 ISSUE 144 AUGUST 2021 / www . modernathlete . co . za