CONTENTS
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OxPecker celebrates 10 years
This year’ s anniversary brought out all the trail running enthusiasts, and the event has established itself as a must-do, fun-fi lled weekend for anyone with running ambitions.
Ryan Sandes takes on 256-mile Cocodona journey
The 2025 Cocodona 250, a 256-mile race from Black Canyon City to Flagstaff, features 256 miles of rugged terrain with 40,000 feet of elevation gain. Roxanne Martin caught up with Ryan to fi nd out all about his incredible achievement.
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The Great Debate
This month, we tackle the debate around professional race organisers vs volunteer / club teams. Is there a place for both to work together or is one better than the other? Ann Ashworth and Richard Laskey weigh in.
Breaking the 4-minute mile
Faith Kipyegon’ s Sub-4 Attempt: A night of hype( lots of it), hope, and heart for women’ s running. She didn’ t break the 4-minute mark but went on to set a new PB and a new world record a few weeks later in the 1500m.
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RUNNERS’ MOUTHPIECE- DEBATES, OPINIONS AND SO MUCH MORE
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Deadly Dozen- Fitness racing is exploding across SA!
Deadly Dozen has become the second biggest Fitness Racing format and is chasing HYROX hard as the offi cial alternative to the runaway freight train.
HYROX World Champs in Chicago
The curtain came down on HYROX World Champs, and oh boy, it didn’ t disappoint! Surprises and upsets galore. The next local race is fast approaching in Cape Town and takes place on 19 & 20 July at the CTICC. Get the latest news on the sport taking the world by storm.
Erin Lazarus: Comrades Round 29
Growing up, Erin knew Comrades was a big deal, but didn’ t realise it was this big a deal. She thought you just trained, showed up and ran 90km. Well, Wally, her dad did. Running a marathon has shown newfound respect for the event.
Cian’ s Voice
Cian talks about Running Propaganda in this issue- it’ s all over social media. Things we should and shouldn’ t fall for. With the running community growing each week, more of us are becoming runners and running tips and advice are everywhere.
Rory on the Run
Rory talks all things Comrades and swears that running Comrades is way easier than seconding someone running it. He delves into the sacrifi ces that everyone has to make to get the runner to the start line, and there is no“ I” in Comrades Marathon; it takes a team!
LIVE WELL
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Live Well TikTok
We are always looking for tips to help you with your running, and we’ ve found some great advice online to help you with aspects of your running. Go to page 64 to fi nd out more about dealing with a stitch, injury-free running and how to trick your brain while running.
Live Well Recipes
We found some easy must-makes just for you that include a high-protein burger bowl, delicious high-protein cookies and a breakfast wrap you have to try!
Fix your foundation, fix your ITB
Jurgens Grobler reveals the importance of fi xing your foundation to beat ITB pain.
The Mental Game: cultivating psychological resilience in sport and life
Glen Ross reminds us that competing and sport require both mental and physical conditioning. You need to prepare your body and your mind- you need resilience, and it isn’ t something you’ re born with or without. It’ s something you can build.
The role of glucose and sodium in sports nutrition
Candice de Mendonca discusses the importance of balancing glucose and sodium in your training and racing.
The niche between ninja and nothing
Mark Grobbelaar raises the issue that self-defence is not learned in a one-off course, as it is something that must be practised over and over, but it’ s better to have some tools rather than know nothing when it comes to defending yourself.
Hierro Shoe Review
Our Roving Cow Richard Laskey puts the New Balance Hierro through its paces and lets you know how it fared.
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