EDITOR ’ S LETTER
WHAT A YEAR !
The fact that we had to wrestle to decide what to leave out of this 164-page coffee-table readathon bears testimony to a year that was propvol of running . Two Oceans Marathon sold out fast and so did Oxpecker Trail Run , two of the biggest running races on earth – each on opposite ends of our big , bright , beautiful country . We had the pleasure of running at both this year and can see why so many people travel annually to be part of these unique experiences . It ’ s safe to say they are iconic events . You can read our deep dives into both on p102 and p74 respectively . Hopefully these will trigger sentimental memories or a desire to enter .
I can see from my own diary that running in SA is on a high with exciting events lined up all year long on both trail and tar . If you peer across the oceans there are even more incredible races in spectacular places . Years ago I felt that if it wasn ’ t a global city marathon it wasn ’ t worth travelling to , but as I ’ ve matured I ’ ve learned to appreciate the irresistible appeal of smaller towns and remote trails that provide the unique privilege of safe , supported running in places you ’ d never have seen in a lifetime . It ’ s a bit like appreciating birds on game drives once your Big 5 itch has been scratched . I used to fly to famous triathlons and multi-day mountain-bike races and , while I still love those , I ’ ve discovered a sense of connection with off-the-beaten-track spaces that only your feet can take you .
When I think back to runs I can vividly remember every kilometre – that ’ s not the case with bike races where scenery flashes by among a vortex of other bikes . Moments like cresting Le Morne mountain at Mauritius by UTMB , where the turquoise waves crashed far below over coral reefs as we emerged muddy footed from an indigenous forest … Summitting Potberg at sunrise
Celebrating the magical places and happy faces that our sport makes accessible .
on the Whale of Trail with a vulture circling overhead , standing bathed in a kaleidoscope of winter fynbos soaking in the insane scenery of the Breede River winding its way through yellow canola fields ; then hours later running along pristine beaches and over the contoured and twisted sandstone cliffs with whales breaching just beyond the breakers . You can read all about that magical run on p126 .
It ’ s not just ultras and trail running that are booming and providing such memorable moments . I was pleasantly reminded of how road racing in particular unifies people of every colour and creed . Pacesetting the Two Oceans half marathon was an absolute blast , helping many first-timers make that magic sub-2 felt enormously rewarding . Being among tens of thousands at our local Run Your City 10K series was fun and fast . We too often focus on the long stuff when a 10km or simply a tempo 5km Park Run is so valuable to our health .
I ’ m more grateful than ever that my job affords me the privilege of not only exploring incredible places but also getting to know many amazing people in our sport . The wise expression of “ learning to walk in another man ’ s shoes ” is underrated . As I ’ ve matured I ’ ve learned to listen to what we as time-starved overachievers are often deaf to – the honesty people will share when they feel heard . I have immense respect for the athletes whose livelihoods depend on cold-hearted results , public personas and the fickle demands of fans and sponsors . We get to talk to them outside the arena when the grind is real and the pressure takes its toll . Get to know some of these less-famous runners in our deep interviews – with new SA road marathon women ’ s record holder Glenrose Xaba ( p38 ), boy-next-door trail tamer Daniël Claassen ( p66 ), and our shining 6.2-foot cover model Janneke Scherpenhuyzen ( p144 ) who simply loves to explore the planet on foot , with a smile . These are people like you , who we can learn from while soldiering on , side by side .
As we head into 2025 with all this merry momentum , we hope that RUN mag has inspired you to enjoy your running a little more and perhaps to take a lesser known path . We would love to hear and possibly share your story , be it about a life-learning inspired by running , or a run which you loved . RUN magazine is by South Africans for South Africans and I ’ m always an email , Facebook or Instagram message away .
Please send us feedback and suggestions on how we can improve your reading experience : runmag @ electricink . co . za @ runmagsa Get more news & views at bikeruntri . co . za
PHOTOGRAPHS ANJA AUCAMP , NICK RABJOHN , STEW NOLAN , TOBIAS GINSBERG , ACTION PHOTO
14 | RUN FOR YOUR LIFE