Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 159 June 2023 | Page 40

ROAD RUNNING
Mission accomplished : One way to keep track of the loops done !
Belloc72 and Bovis Dickus , proud CHOC Cows
Rowing Champs the day before and her master ’ s
World Record in the mixed quad , Richard Laskey doing extra kays to ensure everyone got home safely …
Of the four who attempted the 100 miler , only Crazy Hazy finished . Of the 33 starters in the 100km challenge , 29 finished , which is an 88 % finishing rate . ( Last year we had 19 out of 24 runners finishing .) The quickest loop was Esi ’ s 22:22 , and the runner with the fastest average time per loop was Blitz with 27:00 per 4.167km ( and he finished his 100km in 10 hours 48 minutes for 24 loops ). Even if you include the 100-mile challengers , I still have the slowest loop time – in the depths of my self-pity on loop 10 – of 55:49 .
We are thinking about whether the SBBU will ever reach its limit of 300 runners . Imagine that … 300 Spartans running around the neighbourhood , into the wee hours of the morning . That would indeed be Sparta ! But most importantly , at the time of writing , the latest update on the fundraising side is that the SBBU has now brought in R329,437 . Keep it coming , folks !
You can follow SBBU race updates on www . instagram . com / sbbu _ official , and support for the cause is always appreciated at www . givengain . com / ap / the-cow-herd-raising-funds-for-the-cows-57844 .

Proud to be a Spartan !

By Bovis Dickus

( a . k . a . Richard Laskey , Modern Athlete Sales Director )
During … The early loops went well thanks to careful pacing
What can I say about the Spartan Baby Badass Ultra ( SBBU ). So , these two proper crazies , John Sikiotis ( Johnny Cobra ) and Roberto Riccardi ( Belloc72 ), concocted this event , comprising 100km or 160km in 24 hours , all for The Cows and CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation SA . The funds raised help these little soldiers fighting this shitty disease .
The spoils include bragging rights , a certificate with your chosen Spartan name , an SBBU belt buckle as well as an SBBU survival wristband that is made of a single strand of usable parachute cord ( Paracord ) and
Before … Bovis Dickus prepping for his 100km in 24 hours
has a breaking strength of 249kg . To quote the Owner ’ s Manual , “ In an emergency situation , unravel the bracelet to deploy the paracord to help you get out of the jam .” These little children are the emergency situation , and us Spartans are deploying the paracord to help wherever we can to get them out of the jam .
Whilst some talk a big game , others produce the goods . Putting together an event like SBBU is no small feat , it takes dedication , commitment , perseverance , a massive amount of selflessness and an incredible team of volunteers . It ’ s all good and well doing this , but when you are doing this
After … Exhausted but elated to be finished
to help others , then it ’ s even more special . John and Roberto , you two are incredible individuals , throw in another crazy , The Warmonger , and remember that when you surround yourself with visionaries , your journey will be momentous .
At this year ’ s SBBU , there may have been 37 competitors , but there was an entire army of helpers ensuring the event was a success . Friends , families , loved ones , strangers who became friends , athletes , first-timers , stragglers , caterers , physio ’ s , chiro ’ s , videographers , interviewers , photographers , neighbours , restaurant patrons … you name it , we had it . The bottom line is that none of this happens without a plethora of support . Life is a better adventure , way more fulfilling , when we join together , hold hands , support and make others ’ burdens feel lighter .
Thanks to Michael Rae for kicking my ass to take part , to all our kiddos for supporting throughout the event and putting up with my crazy requests , and to Isabel Mckenna , for being my anchor . Love you all . Rest assured , you have all played your part in helping to make a suffering youngster ’ s life a little more joyful today . I may now be a SPARTAN , but I will never be as brave a warrior as these little kids !
Images : Courtesy Rob Riccardi , Richard Laskey & the CHOC Cows
40 ISSUE 159 | www . modernathlete . co . za