After a few delays to our racing plans caused by the COVID pandemic, I found myself running the Paris Marathon in October, chasing a sub-3:15 finish, but instead, I found myself pushing for a sub-3:00 for the first time, much to the surprise of my training partner! – by Wellington Mpofu
Her transition from concert pianist to ‘galloping granny’ at 78 has brought Deirdre Larkin several World Records, countless media interviews, and a roomful of medals, but she continues to run just for the sheer enjoyment of it. And the 90-year-old does it all with a wicked sense of humour, too
After a one-year absence, Bedfordview Athletics Club in partnership with Dis-Chem Pharmacies is proud to once again bring you the Dis-Chem Pharmacies Half Marathon. Taking place on Sunday 16 January 2022, this will be the 20th edition of this long-time favourite on the Johannesburg racing calendar.
Having seen this year’s race cancelled due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, the club is incredibly excited to be able to invite runners to once again visit the famous 21.1km course – some will say infamous – which winds its way through Bedfordview, Morninghill and Primrose. Though challenging, runners will be rewarded with spectacular views, particularly as the road crests and dives down Primrose Hill.
Unfortunately, the Centrum 5km dash will not take place in 2022, due to the entry limitations, and spectators and supporters will not be allowed at the event, especially at the race venue itself. However, there will be marshals stationed along the route, to offer runners words of encouragement as well as make sure all are kept safe on route. Also, due to the current restrictions, the race will only offer four water points, and runners are therefore encouraged to break out the hydration packs and bring their own water.
More Entries Than Originally Expected
Traditionally one of the biggest half marathons on the Central Gauteng calendar, the race will be restricted in numbers of entries this year, but as Race Director Charn Swart explains, this is already more than originally expected. “Under current guidelines from Athletics South Africa, we originally applied for a live event with 2000 runners, but they looked at our event plan and granted permission for 3000.
“Then, after entries were launched, we negotiated further with ASA and are delighted to announce we have received the go-ahead for a further 500 live entries! Our live event plan is viable for 4000 entries, so we are confident that we are able to cope with the approved 3500 entries safely, within, all current restrictions.”
More good news is that a further 500 virtual entries will be available for runners who cannot get a live race entry. The Virtual run will be untimed and unsupported and can be run from 17-23 January 2022. All 4000 entrants will receive a Dry-fit event T-shirt.
Charn is obviously just thrilled to see the race back on the calendar. “Hosting this race means a lot to our club. Runners are eager to compete after months of training without a real purpose, and we are also hopeful that races like ours will encourage new runners to get involved in road running, especially when they get a taste of the enjoyment of taking part in shorter distances. Most importantly, this gives running clubs a chance to recover financially after losing members that left due to there being no races on the calendar, and it also brings in much-needed revenue earned from hosting the race.”
Ready to Pick Up Your Race Pack?
As with all events, the topic of vaccinations is front of mind, and will come into play with the Dis-Chem Half Marathon as well. The event is open to both vaccinated and unvaccinated runners, but your vaccination status will determine when you can collect your race number and T-shirt. The three days of registration will be:
Thursday 13 January
Dis-Chem Nicolway
09:30-17:00
Friday 14 January
Dis-Chem Park Meadows
10:00-17:00
Saturday 15 January
Virgin Active Bedfordview
09:30-15:30
On the topic of vaccinations, both Charn and Stan Goetsch of headline sponsor Dis-Chem are encouraging all runners to get vaccinated. By being vaccinated, mass events can operate again, knowing that all runners entering the event space have the ability to fight COVID-19. As Stan says, “While it is difficult to plan with certainty in these uniquely challenging times, Bedfordview Country Club Athletics and ourselves are looking ahead to once again witness the joy, the spirit and the excitement of the challenge of a live road running event at this traditional season opener.”
Charn leaves us with this, “Runners will have the best possible experience that we can offer on the day, within the COVID-19 protocols necessary to host a race.” So, will you be one of the lucky runners taking to the streets of Bedfordview? Then make sure you get your entry in right away, as they will be snapped up quickly!
The UA HOVR Mega 2 Clone, the newest member of the UA HOVR running shoe family, is built with you, the runner, in mind. With NEW Clone Upper Tech the UA HOVR™ Mega 2 Clone is Under Armour’s first running shoe offering a 1:1 personalized fit with the new UA Clone technology that flexes and adapts to your foot as you move through your stride. This running shoe feels like it was made for you. The UA Clone upper locks in and centers your foot over our UA HOVR™ cushioning for a smoother run and better energy return.
The woven structure of the UA Clone upper gets stronger when stretched, becoming thicker perpendicular to the applied force. This internal layer of flexible, auxetic material moulds around the foot for a precise, glove-like fit and feel that’s truly customized to every foot, no matter the size. A 3D moulded sock liner made of 6mm of open cell PU foam cradles the foot with enhanced step-in comfort allow the HOVR Mega 2 Clone to perfectly adapt to the runner’s foot – not vice versa. The cushy but efficient HOVR Mega 2 Clone running shoes are great for long runs and high mileage training.
Designed for zero-gravity feel and great energy return, the HOVR Mega 2 Clone features a HOVR midsole and wide heel and forefoot gauges for a more plush feel. The transition from landing to toe-off feels incredibly smooth with an exposed UA HOVR foam outsole through the midfoot and forefoot pressure zones, providing a soft and pillowy yet responsive ride. Encased in a dynamic Energy Web, the UA HOVR foam is engineered to protect from impact and provides a smooth, stable ride. With comfort as a priority in the design of the shoe, the HOVR Mega 2 Clone features a padded heel collar that protects the achilles from irritation, a padded tongue, a thick sockliner, and an upper constructed specifically to meet the runner’s anatomical need.
With its compatibility with UA MapMyRun™, the shoe is designed to coach you, and ultimately make you a better runner. Don’t believe us? Under Armour, ambassadors tell us why they believe that the technology behind the shoe works in improving, not only your style of running but you as a runner too.
These shoes form to your foot and coach you. By connecting your shoes to UA MapMyRun™ you get real-time Form Coaching tips based on your cadence, pace, and stride. An embedded sensor tracks, analyses and stores detailed running metrics to inform ways to improve your performance. And trust us when we say it can really pay off. In 2020, UA MapMyRun Form Coaching users ran 7% faster and 3% farther based on stats gathered from the community of users! This means that you will get real advantages in knowing what you need to improve on.
That is no problem, the app syncs to most running watches meaning you can still get all of this data following your run, and see where you need to make improvements to get faster and further quicker.
Available for R3199 you can get a 25% discount using the code MEGA25 click https://bit.ly/3AVt5ST to shop now!
International Travel has been out of our reach for so long, but thanks to the vaccination rollout, many borders are opening again for travel to South Africans!
Many of us dream of traveling the world to run international races, crossing them off our bucket running list. Now that these are becoming real possibilities again, the planning for some has become a reality. But where to start?
RunXcursions a new tourist operator is all about creating the opportunity to partake in international marathon races in various countries. While abroad, you will get to experience the culture of other countries, the different kinds of foods, the music, breathtaking landmark views, and communities. This not only gives you a foreign experience of life, but also the ability to do something you love, to run!
Coach Peteni is the lead guide on your excursions! Coach P, Peteni Kuzwayo, is a running fanatic who has taken his passion and created an entrepreneurial career out of it. Having been the only Nike Run Club coach in Africa, his running pedigree boasts hundreds of marathons and eight Comrades Marathons, the race dubbed the “Ultimate Human Race”. His passion for running has seen him travel the world, including the epic experiences in Chicago, New York and Zanzibar.
So where is the next destination on Coach P’s itinerary? The amazing Zurich Marathon!
Are you going to be joining? Check out the full package below:
7th to the 15th April 2022
R41,745/Single(vat incl) or R33,997/Sharing(vat incl)
Package includes:
The UA HOVR Mega 2 Clone, the newest member of the UA HOVR running shoe family, is built with you, the runner, in mind. With NEW Clone Upper Tech the UA HOVR™ Mega 2 Clone is Under Armour’s first running shoe offering a 1:1 personalized fit with the new UA Clone technology that flexes and adapts to your foot as you move through your stride. This running shoe feels like it was made for you. The UA Clone upper locks in and centers your foot over our UA HOVR™ cushioning for a smoother run and better energy return.
The woven structure of the UA Clone upper gets stronger when stretched, becoming thicker perpendicular to the applied force. This internal layer of flexible, auxetic material moulds around the foot for a precise, glove-like fit and feel that’s truly customized to every foot, no matter the size. A 3D moulded sock liner made of 6mm of open cell PU foam cradles the foot with enhanced step-in comfort allow the HOVR Mega 2 Clone to perfectly adapt to the runner’s foot – not vice versa. The cushy but efficient HOVR Mega 2 Clone running shoes are great for long runs and high mileage training. With its compatibility with UA MapMyRun™, the shoe is designed to coach you, and ultimately make you a better runner.
Don’t believe us? Under Armour ambassador, Ben Palmer tells us why he believes that the technology behind the shoe works in improving, not only your style of running but you as a runner too.
These shoes form to your foot and coach you. By connecting your shoes to UA MapMyRun™ you get real-time Form Coaching tips based on your cadence, pace, and stride. An embedded sensor tracks, analyses and stores detailed running metrics to inform ways to improve your performance. And trust us when we say it can really pay off. In 2020, UA MapMyRun Form Coaching users ran 7% faster and 3% farther based on stats gathered from the community of users! This means that you will get real advantages in knowing what you need to improve on.
That is no problem, the app syncs to most running watches meaning you can still get all of this data following your run, and see where you need to make improvements to get faster and further quicker.
Available for R3199 you can get a 25% discount using the code MEGA25 click https://bit.ly/3AVt5ST to shop now!
I already knew the great reputation of 2XU products, but I was still blown away by the new 2XU Compression Full Zip Sleeved Trisuit. Here’s what I found after putting it through its paces, in swim, bike and run tests. – by Alistair Cronk
You don’t just claim to be the World’s Best Technical Sportswear brand for nothing… and the latest Trisuit from 2XU pulls out all the stops! The Compression Full Zip Sleeved Trisuit has all the features a triathlete could ask for, and nothing has been spared to provide athletes with the best possible trisuit on the market. The manufacturer has used an array of different fabrics to give you the best possible fit, feel and comfort while still providing you with a world-class product!
The 2XU brand, pronounced Two Times You, has been around since 2005. Launched in Melbourne, Australia and starting out as a specialist run and triathlon brand, 2XU is particularly renowned for its compression wear, but all its technical gear is top class, and thus I was really excited to be asked to test this new trisuit.
At First Glance
In life, I have always believed that if you look good, you feel good. Holding this trisuit in my hands for the first time, I could just feel the quality. The entire suit has been designed and manufactured to the highest standards, and I could not wait to try it on.
I will admit that I was a little sceptical about the compression at first, wondering how I was going to get into the Trisuit, but boy, what a fit! It feels instantly comfortable thanks to its panelled cut and flatlock stitching. Also, it’s supportive without being restrictive, and offers more freedom of movement than you might expect. With the jacket top and full zip, it makes getting the suit on and off even easier, especially for those ‘nature breaks.’
The Suit Essentials
Part of the Trisuit is made of Swiss Vent fabric, which was designed and created in accordance with 2XU’s testing by RMIT University. This material’s matrix knit allows the Trisuit to breathe while using Coldblack technology to offer protection from the sun on those hot South African race days.
Italian SBR Vent fabric is used on the suit’s arms and chest, designed to provide cooling while still being aerodynamic, with elbow-length sleeves that also give extra protection from the sun. When worn under a wetsuit, I found little to no difference to my stroke, with no pulling on the shoulders giving you that restricted feel. There are two easy-access open pockets on the back that will hold your race-day nutrition.
While the top is already enough to blow your mind, it’s when you move down to the shorts that the real difference comes in… The breathable, aerodynamic material selection is complimented by the added feature of compression, provided by the latest 105D Power Mesh, which allows for greater power output and less muscle oscillation, and thus reduced muscle fatigue during all three legs of a triathlon.
Secondly, the pad is always an important element of a trisuit, especially on those longer races, and the inclusion of the PRO LD Chamois, which is a multi-layered design with low water-absorption foam made in Italy exclusively for 2XU, gives this suit still better performance!
Put to the Test
I was impressed with the Trisuit in the water, both with and without a wetsuit. There was no feeling of drag and hindrance during the swim, and the compression around the legs in the water opened a whole new world, allowing me to deliver a stronger kick. So, when those races with the “no wetsuit swim” come round, this trisuit will deliver, allowing you to glide through the water without the usual feeling of drag or speed-loss.
On the bike, I found the pad to be comfortable for those long sections while on the bars, and although the compression felt a little restrictive at first while in this position, it soon loosened up a little to allow me to perform at my best. On my runs – and once again I can’t stress this enough – the compression around the legs made me feel like I can go harder for longer.
Testing it during the hotter days of early spring, I found the Trisuit kept me cool, and I have no doubt that it will be great to race in it during our hot summer days. I know this because I tested the suit in the heat of the day, and found that I never experience that overheating feeling, but if you are one of those athletes that runs a little on the hot side, the full zip allows for extra cooling.
The correct size of suit is always important, and I found this snug-fitting suit to have no flapping, but it still felt comfortable at the same time. Furthermore, the cleverly designed panelling makes this suit both fast and comfortable. Chaffing was non-existent, as the suit panelling, stitching and the soft edges of the pad and all designed with the athlete in mind. I am not saying you should throw the ‘speed grease’ away, but test the Trisuit for yourself and you’ll see how smooth and comfortable it is.
My Takeaways
I have raced both long- and short-course races, full and half Ironman events, and I have not come across a suit to top the 2XU Compression Full Zip Sleeved Trisuit. This is by far the most comfortable and rewarding trisuit I have tried. Of course, in order to properly review a product, you do need to point out any downsides, and the only one I could find was that I think the pockets on the back could be a little bigger, especially for the brands that offer bigger gels.
But after having tested the 2XU Compression Full Zip Sleeved Trisuit, I would not hesitate in recommending this trisuit to all levels of triathlete. The 2XU diehard fans have probably got their Trisuit on order already, but for those looking for a new trisuit, this would be the one. With its technical and protective fabrics, the comfort and outstanding compression performance across all three legs, the 2XU Compression Full Zip Sleeved Trisuit is one of the best trisuits on the market, ideal for all long-course and short-course athletes, and will be one less thing to worry about on race day.
Get it Here
The 2XU Compression Full Zip Sleeved Trisuit retails at R3499 and can be ordered at https://2xu.co.za/collections/trisuits/products/mt5516d-mens-compression-full-zip-sleeved-trisuit
The UA HOVR Mega 2 Clone, the newest member of the UA HOVR running shoe family, is built with you, the runner, in mind. Designed for zero-gravity feel and great energy return, the HOVR Mega 2 Clone literally makes you feel like you are running on air! With its compatibility with UA MapMyRun™, the shoe is designed to coach you, and ultimately make you a better runner.
Don’t believe us? Under Armour ambassador, Adrienne Herbert tells us why she believes that the technology behind the shoe works in improving, not only your style of running, but you as a runner too.
These shoes form to your foot and coach you. By connecting your shoes to UA MapMyRun™ you get real-time Form Coaching tips based on your cadence, pace, and stride. An embedded sensor tracks, analyses and stores detailed running metrics to inform ways to improve your performance. And trust us when we say it can really pay off. In 2020, UA MapMyRun Form Coaching users ran 7% faster and 3% farther based on stats gathered from the community of users! This means that you will get real advantages in knowing what you need to improve on.
That is no problem, the app syncs to most running watches meaning you can still get all of this data following your run, and see where you need to make improvements to get faster and further quicker.
Available for R3199 you can get a 25% discount using the code MEGA25 click https://bit.ly/3AVt5ST to shop now!
The SPAR Grand Prix has injected life into the women’s elite racing scene in South Africa, with scintillating times being run throughout the series, and one of the South Africans to catch the eye was Glenrose Xaba, who eventually finished third in the 2021 Grand Prix standings. – By Sean Falconer
Tuck into good reads about Glenrose Xaba’s great SPAR results, Stef & Sabrina’s Oyster Catcher father-daughter adventure, the comeback story about Comrades Green Debbie Fass after her hip replacement, a welcome back for sprinter Carina Horn, Mindlo Mdhluli’s journey from learning to swim to ultra triathlete, and Sue Ullyett describes the hard times she went through in coming back from being seriously ill with COVID, PLUS all you need to know about the record-breaking adidas adizero shoe range.
Shortly after fulfilling her dream to earn her Comrades Green Number, Debbie Fass was given the devastating news that she needed a hip replacement, and she thought her running days were over. However, through determination and dedication, she has returned to the road. – By Roxanne Martin
Tuck into good reads about Glenrose Xaba’s great SPAR results, Stef & Sabrina’s Oyster Catcher father-daughter adventure, the comeback story about Comrades Green Debbie Fass after her hip replacement, a welcome back for sprinter Carina Horn, Mindlo Mdhluli’s journey from learning to swim to ultra triathlete, and Sue Ullyett describes the hard times she went through in coming back from being seriously ill with COVID, PLUS all you need to know about the record-breaking adidas adizero shoe range.
