Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 51, October 2013 | Page 20

Balancing Act

Managing the Mission
For Makro Managing Director Doug Jones, running is a parallel to his career – a life of discipline and creating new goals. In between days at the office making sure his brand stays on top of the SA market, he is chasing new experiences in the sport he loves.
– BY LAUREN VAN DER VYVER or a man with such a demanding job, Doug Jones has quite the running CV: It includes five Comrades Marathons with a PB of 7:50, three Old Mutual Two Oceans Ultras and a Puffer 80km run. He has also taken on four 94.7 Cycle Challenges, the Ironman 70.3 and the Midmar Mile – all while heading up one of the country’s leading retail franchises. Doug has spent six years at Massmart and has been Managing Director of Makro for the past year, and says he continues to be inspired by the company. “I love the unique offering we Glen playing giveSupersportIt’s a small business but a big operation,” for people. he explains. “We offer across the board, to all ages, United. and we just have a lot of fun!” Despite the long hours, on top of being a husband and father to three young children, Doug still finds time to train and race, although this year his running has been curtailed by a hip injury. “I normally wake up at 5am and I’m excited to go out for a run. After that, I’m excited to get to the office. Running is good for you in business – you remain positive and enthusiastic,” says Doug. “Like life, like business, running tests your will to follow through on something. If you’re not fit, if you’re not committed, you’ll bail.”

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weekend running getaways. “They’re dragged to races, but I think when your children see you accomplishing your goals, it can only be a positive in?uence. I work hard and succeed, and they can do the same.”

Running Pedigree
Jo’burg born and bred, Doug was always active at school, using running to get fit for cricket, rugby and squash. After studying to become a chartered accountant, he moved to Canada, where he ran his first marathon in Toronto in 2000, with Robyn, but with kids on the way and a move back to SA in 2003, Doug took a break from serious running for a few years, until he joined the Bryanston Bombers training group. “This group of guys had run Comrades and all these crazy races, and we became a close-knit running family. They took me from jogger to runner, and that’s what makes running so amazing – that nobody cares who you are or what your title is when you have your running gear on! You just go out with your friends and it’s a breakaway from everything!” Doug’s second shot at a marathon came in 2006 at the Soweto Marathon, and eventually he moved onto

Looking strong on the Comrades Marathon route.

Like life, like business, running tests your will to follow through on something.
Comrades in 2008, clinching a Bill Rowan medal in 8:50. He went on to run five consecutive Comrades before missing out this year with the hip injury, but says he will be back. “On my first go, I remember crying when I crossed the finish, with my arm raised in the air. Comrades is all about the journey and the build-up. The actual day? Well, it’s a beast! But the hours on the road and meeting strangers is what makes it so special!”

And so, in peak training, Doug runs time trials on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with some track work for speed in the evenings, a longer 20km on Wednesdays, and a tempo run on Friday mornings. His weekends are reserved for long runs. “It’s great having a wife that is also active, that runs with me and understands what running is all about,” says Doug. “Robyn has allowed me to do what it takes to get to my goals.” And their kids, Kate (11), Matthew (10) and Scott (2) also take part on

Images courtesy Doug and Robyn Jones

The Jones Family: Kate, mom Robyn, Doug with sons Scott and Matthew.

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ISSUE 51 OCTOBER 2013 / www.modernathlete.co.za

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Doug at Ironman 70.3 in 2011.

New Goals
While being sidelined from running this whole year after an op on his hip, Doug has been swimming and recently started running again. He says he is det \?Z[?Y???YH?X??????\?[?]?\?[?\?H?X??][\???[??[????[?x?&Y?[Z?H?X?????8?'H?[?H?[?\?[?^H?Y[??[X?\?]??\?Y\?[?H?[???[?H?X?L?X\?]??[?H?^?]?YX\??x?&YZ?H??\??X[?HL[Z[\?X^X?H?\?YKX^X?HH??\?[?[???[H[?[?[?Z[??Z?H[?K??'H[??[H]ZY??Y[HH??]???H?\?H?\?[?\??X[?H^Z[??]]8?&\?[X??]??\??Z\?K?8?'H??&]?Y?H[?H???^H^H??&]]?H[YK?X?]\?HH[?????\?[?H??\???]?H?YY????\??Z\?K?[?H?YY??]]?[[??H?Y?x?'B??