INSPIRED BY A YOUNGSTER

This photo captures something that touched my heart today . These kids from the Anna Foundation team participated in a local trail run with such enthusiasm and energy , and this little girl was running only in her socks , with her shoes in her hand . ( Clearly the shoes weren ’ t appropriate for running , and were probably hurting her ). She didn ’ t complain , though , and was cheering me on !

The Anna Foundation is a non-profit organisation supporting rural children through education , sports and life-skills programmes . It implements its “ 3 R ’ s : Reading , Running and Righting ” programme , with ‘ righting ’ referring to right living , on farms , in rural schools and within other rural environments in the Western Cape . This programme is presented daily , after school hours , for children from Grade R to Grade 12 . Please consider donating to the Anna Foundation ( www . annafoundation . com ). – Maritsa Kotze

THE TOENAIL TOPIC

Most runners have 10 toes , but some have only seven toenails , and some have double story toenails . For five marks , please explain . – Angelo Adams

The pedicure lady is always mystified by the double-story toenails . – Shona Randall Salver

I can ’ t remember the last time I had 10 toenails . – Janine Downes

Got all mine , perfectly intact thanks ! – Candyce Hall

Story of my life ! – Clinton Hoedemaker

I ' ve been running for 15 years . Not once have I had a toenail story to tell ... not even a blister anywhere . I do not understand the problem . It would be interesting to know how many are like me . – Stephan Smeda

Stephan , how does it feel to be God ' s favourite child ? – Tarryn Arendse

I run a 21 and part of my routine is losing the toenail on the middle toe of the left foot . Not the shoes , the socks or anything else . It is just what it is . – Chantal Pieters

Chantal , and when you ' re done running , " it isn ' t what it isn ' t ." – Angelo Adams

I did pee . I did pee ... – Jasmine Arnold

RUN-SPEAK 101

I ' m sure this pain will go away when I ' m warmed up . – Angelique Bannau

I could have sworn it was a tail wind a few minutes ago ... – Shaheed Mohamed

PORTABLE SAUNAS

If you ’ re looking to lose a little weight while you wait for the 1pm start of the Festival of Running Marathon , you can spend a few minutes in one of these saunas . A session inside one of these plastic throne rooms in the heat of the midday sun is a special experience – and I ’ d recommend getting in there before anyone else has a chance to work up a sweat ). – The Running Mann

Just one more pair of shoes ... – Nazeema Moos

I will enter the race before closing date , and I will not look for entries after closing date on Facebook ! – Nizaam Cariem

Have you entered XYZ race ? – Annuschka Kidd

Looking for an entry for [ insert race name ] – Tarryn Arendse

I am just going to use this race as a training run . [ Then runs a PB .] – Marjie Jean

This is my last race for the year . [ Then enters another race .] – Bronwin Blanchard

Just gonna take this slow … – Terry-Ann Jacobs

Why am I doing this ? – Carol Witz

Is this the last hill ? – Christopher Tomlinson

Where ’ s the water point ? – Gerhard Rademeyer

As long as we get to the finishing line . – Nhlema Fidelis Lilly

Why is the last kilometre always so loooong ? – Jessica Jaftha

OK , seriously , that was really the last time I do that race ! – Clayton Saville

I ' m never running another marathon . Ever ! – Jeanine Koopman

Never again , that was brutal ! – Craig Williams

So , when is the next race ? – Clinton Hoedemaker

Images : Pexels , Rogan Ward , Stuart Mann , Sean Falconer & courtesy TrailFun