Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 90, January 2017 | Página 6

Ma letters Have YOUR SAY Got something on your mind that you want to share, a burning question you want answered, or a good story to tell? Then send it to [email protected]. (Note that these letters may have been shortened due to space limitations.) WINNING LETTER Some call it the toughest race in the world; I call the Harrismith Mountain Race my biggest childhood dream. For as long as I can remember, running has been a wonderful part of my life, bringing endless stories and memories. Some of the memories that I will always cherish were early morning training sessions with my father – me running and him riding his bike next to me. He would share stories with me from his running days, and one of them especially grabbed my attention and kindled a dream in my heart. It was the story of the time he conquered the Harrismith Mountain Race, and something much more valuable… For quite some time my father had done everything in his ability to win the heart of the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, but romantic RUNCLEAN BADGE I am a member of Kempton Road Runners and we have adopted your #RunClean campaign and asked our members to sign an electronic declaration to runclean at races. We have discussed the possibility of designing a badge that can be sown on the back of a running vest saying “I #RunClean.” Do you have something like this already that we can get for our members, or do you have any ideas how you would like such a badge to look? I think that runners that wear something on their 6 ISSUE 90 JANUARY 2017 / www.modernathlete.co.za gestures, sweet words and dinners did not seem to get her attention. Just as his hope began fading, the unexpected happened: She invited him to her faculty dance, as her date! Without hesitation he said yes, without realising it would be the same day as the gruelling Harrismith Mountain Race, but determined not to miss the woman of his dreams’ dance, he ran the race and hurried back to Bloemfontein. The blistered feet and legs, hurting with every movement, were soon forgotten as he held her in his arms and danced the night away. As they say, the rest is history. This year I had the privilege of running the Harrismith Mountain Race myself and fulfilling my childhood dream. Without a doubt, this will forever be one of my best running memories. Thank you, Daddy, for kindling this dream in my heart and for always believing in me. Thank you for never leaving my side and always encouraging me. Thank you for always being ready for another training session and for waking me up, even though I was grumpy. But most of all thank you that even after all these years, you still treat and cherish Mommy as your most prized possession. This one was for you! – Nadri Zitzke, via e-mail Now that’s a wonderful letter, deserving of the winning prize this month! – Ed. vests will think twice before they throw. Thanks again for the wonderful initiative. – Samantha Lange, Kempton Park We already have light green armbands to show support for the #runclean campaign, but I do like the idea of a badge. Our team will look into this and report back soon. – Ed. GOOD DEEDS GIVE A VOICE TO SILENCE I am excited as I write this letter because I just did my first Old Mutual Soweto Half Marathon, and also because I found my first ever Modern Athlete (Issue 88 / Images: Courtesy Nadri Zitzke & Bev Leal RUNNING A CHILDHOOD DREAM