Running remains by far the biggest participation sport in the world . From 5km park runs to half marathons and now 160km trail epics , event numbers are at an all-time high as people step off the wealth-creation hamster wheel and head back into nature to make the most of what God gave us .
The message that health is wealth has hit home hard . But it ’ s the raw connection with other humans and mother earth that I feel makes running uniquely compelling and deeply satisfying . We are social beings , evolved in families , tribes and communities that share resources . We are completely reliant on each other and the soil beneath our feet . Everything we eat , travel in , communicate with , and live inside originates from under the ground , and I sense that it ’ s this mutual dependency that drives our instinct to care deeply for each other and for mother earth . That said , the last century and especially the last decade has distanced us , actually alienated us from our roots in a big way . As with all of life ’ s cycles though , we eventually return to what matters most .
Unlike riding and gym , running has no easy gears or lighter sets . It ’ s demanding in a very authentic way . If you don ’ t keep moving your body mass forward you simply stop making progress . Every foot strike connects with the crust of mother earth , you can feel and hear every step . Even your strained breath is audible when you ’ re not tuned in to birds and endorphinhigh conversations with fellow runners . When running in groups we don ’ t have ebikes or slipstream drafting to tow less fit or fast companions along – we require motivation to keep up for the joy of social contact and sense of camaraderie .
THERE ’ S SOMETHING ABOUT RUNNING
Running truly is a unique bonding between humans from all walks of life . Those who run with dogs will get my last line – just think of that deeply satisfying bond of trust and friendship between man and animal . A dog passing away leaves a runner as sad and lost as if a fellow human has passed . Back on the regular run path after losing a trail dog feels empty , a very obvious example of how the shared experience of running is so potent compared with other sports . I put my 14-year-old cancersuffering golden retriever Juno down a few days ago . I still can ’ t bear to head
Paul , Juno and Paco in their happy place .
out on our regular route , knowing that every bush , stream , guinea fowl , squirrel and fellow dog walker will ignite another painful memory of our perfect times outside together – in the best possible company .
On foot we literally smell the flowers . Isn ’ t it amazing how a smell can trigger such visceral memories . Having left the highveld years ago , a morning run in the veld , especially in cosmos season or under the blooming jacarandas of the suburbs , reconnects me to a happy childhood , far deeper than the city ’ s concrete exterior would lead a non-runner to imagine was possible . Similarly , when I wake up in Kruger to the sound of redeyed doves and other indigenous birds , it creates nostalgia for childhood days offline with family in the utter silence of nature . No doubt we all have versions of this warm and fuzzy feeling when we lace up and head out into the dawn or sunset , wherever or whoever we are .
Yes , running is the most time-efficient sport to stay in optimal health and you can run anywhere , anytime – but I think we all crave this primal connection with each other and mother nature . Running provides both , in spades .
As we head into autumn , we need greater motivation to step out for a run . Some runners are naturally self disciplined and have learned that there ’ s no such thing as bad weather , only bad clothing choices , but most struggle to find inspiration . So we have packed this edition of RUN mag with plenty of motivation to keep you and your tribe on the move . Over 130 large-format pages you ’ ll discover
“ Running truly is a unique bonding between humans from all walks of life ”
a vast array of races in cool , hot , local and distant places , interesting faces , weatherproof gear , useful gadgets and all the innovative new shoe technologies – plus a whole lot of expert advice to get the most out your time running on trail or tar .
Like you , we also need stimuli to keep moving forward , and putting this edition together has done just that . We ’ re super amped to see the iconic Two Oceans build back to its former glory , and we ’ ll be at the new UTMB qualifier , the Mountain Ultra Trail ( MUT ) in George to welcome local and international runners to the best country to be a runner on the planet . Bring on the cool months !
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PHOTOGRAPHS OAKPICS , JACQUES MARAIS
10 | RUN FOR YOUR LIFE