If you are a runner, I am sure that you have experienced that fear of missing out (FOMO) from missing a race at least once in your life. Well, let me tell you, I recently experienced FOMO level one hundred for this reason! – By Carla Farina
Author: Tanika Laskey
‹ Back
The Running Mann: Klopping (Overcoming) My Afrikaans Angst
In spite of my chequered history with the Afrikaans language, I decided to head to Bloemfontein for the Kloppers Marathon, and reckon that it was not only a ‘lekker’ race to run, but resulted in me vastly improving my Afrikaans skills. I even managed to start writing jokes in Afrikaans! My tormented high school teacher would be so proud. – By Stuart Mann
The World’s Highest Road Marathon
My wonderful experiences climbing and trekking in Pakistan in the 1990s had a major impact on my decision to take part in an organised running adventure in Pakistan, which is why I signed up for the Khunjerab Pass Marathon in 2019. Allow me to take you on a little trip down my running memory lane. – By Scott McIvor
4x4x48 for the Kids
At the beginning of March, after a massive lifestyle change and investment in my long-term health over the past two years, I tackled one of the greatest physical challenges I have yet attempted, the 4x4x48 Challenge, to raise funds to change the lives of kids with cerebral palsy. It turned out to be another life-changing experience for me as well. – By Mike Said
Cows in the Arctic Circle
An intrepid group of South Africans recently jetted off to Sweden to take on the Ice Ultra, a five-day adventure on foot in the remote and hostile wilds of Lapland, above the Arctic Circle. With no experience of running in snow, it was always going to be huge challenge for the African runners, but running for a great cause and having each other for support got them to the finish line. – By Cordi Van Nekerk
In For the Long Run
Since its inception in 2019, For The Long Run in Fisantekraal, just outside Durbanville in the Western Cape, has been on a remarkable journey to help individuals become better humans, friends, parents, family members and colleagues, all through running. Christine Le Roux, who founded the non-profit organisation and running crew with husband Gerhard, explains how it all works.
This is Sparta!
The third edition of the annual Spartan Baby Badass Ultra (SBBU) will take place in Johannesburg towards the end of April, with runners attempting this incredible challenge in order to raise funds for CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation SA. Rob Riccardi, who has already earned two of the coveted SBBU finisher’s belt buckles, explains what the challenge is all about… and be warned, this story involves really hot chillis, fly-fishing snares, bagpipes and many, many cups of cement!
Ask Yourself Why… All So Avoidable
The recent SA 10km Championships delivered some fantastic performances, but also produced yet another case where our sport appeared to shoot itself in the foot! – By Norrie Williamson
PUMA UNVEILS INNOVATIVE NITRO™ VAN
Gqeberha, 4 April 2024 – PUMA is introducing a NITRO™ VAN to enable runners to engage with the brand’s comprehensive range of NITRO™ running shoes at Absa Run Your City 10km races and at a series of 5km warm-ups.
The NITRO™ VAN, which houses about 200 pairs of running shoes, will be unveiled at the Gqeberha 10km on 7 April and will also attend future Absa Run Your City races in Cape Town (12 May), Durban (7 July), Tshwane (25 August) and Johannesburg (24 September), as well as at PUMA NITRO™ RUNS.
The PUMA NITRO™ RUNS, which take place in the lead up to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series 10km races, provide a platform for runners and walkers to test out PUMA’s latest range which includes the Magnify, Liberate, Velocity, Deviate and Fast-R2 NITRO™ running shoes.
PUMA’s dedicated technical team will be on-site, offering guidance to ensure every participant identifies the shoe that aligns with their unique running style and requirements. Participants in these fun 5km run/walks can also win prizes including a pair of PUMA Velocity NITRO™ 3 running shoes.
The NITRO™ VAN will also facilitate engagement with PUMA retail partners across the country.
FOURTH ANNUAL ADIDAS RACE EVENT: WORLD-CLASS ATHLETES GEAR UP FOR ADIZERO: ROAD TO RECORDS SHOWDOWN ON CAMPUS IN HERZOGENAURACH
South Africa, April 5, 2024: Today, adidas Running announces an all-star line-up of athletes, new race distances and speed-focused course updates for the fourth iteration of its annual Adizero: Road to Records event, held at the brand’s headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany on April 27, 2024
Renowned for attracting top-tier athletes from across the globe, this year’s line-up brings 120 world class adidas athletes from 26 countries to compete in the newly-established 800m and 1 mile races, as well as the 5K and 10K. The races will take place on a specially designed course around the adidas World of Sports campus, with the aim of pushing the limits of speed. Among the confirmed participants is the current 10KM world record holder Agnes Ngetich of Kenya, former 5KM world record holder Senbere Teferi of Ethiopia, Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia, Jacob Krop of Kenya and 1-mile WR holder Hobbs Kessler of United States.
Gauteng-based middle-distance sensations, Ryan Mphahlele, and KZN-based rising star, Tayla Kavanagh, will represent South Africa in Herzogenaurach.
Ryan is force to be reckoned with in the realm of athletics, showcasing remarkable prowess across track, Cross-Country, and road racing, particularly excelling in the 5km distance. Mphahlele’s relentless pursuit of excellence sees him setting his sights firmly on the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. Familiar with breaking barriers, Mphahlele made a significant mark at the Adizero Road to Records event in 2023, clinching 5th place while shattering the South African record in the 5km.
Tayla Kavanagh has already carved a notable niche for herself in the realm of middle-distance running, clinching two national road running titles by the tender age of 22. Not one to shy away from breaking barriers, Kavanagh made her mark at the 2022 Adizero Road to Records event, finishing in a notable 15th place.
For the first time, the elite race course has been updated to be entirely run on tarmac and asphalt – removing the artificial grass sections from previous years – to make it even faster for the athletes. With each lap spanning just over 1.3km in distance around iconic adidas campus buildings, including Arena, Laces and Halftime, the course is set to be a visual spectacle for both athletes and spectators alike. Viewers from around the world will be able to watch the action unfold via the live stream on the adidas Running YouTube channel – last year’s event live stream generated over 75,000 views to date.
On race day, there will be a number of special guest appearances, including adidas legend Haile Gebrselassie, adidas athlete Joan Chelimo, football legend Alessandro Del Piero and the German Paralympic Athletics team. Following the conclusion of the elite races, there will be an Adizero: Road to Records 5k Run available for public participation, welcoming adidas employees, partners, adidas Runners and members of the public.
“For athletes, runners, running fans, employees, media, influencers, sport and business partners, Adizero: Road to Records means so much more than just a day of racing; it’s a celebration of athletes and sport at its best. It honors the top performances in the elite races, and the unyielding competitive spirit at the heart of our brand, while celebrating all types of runners in the 5km run, from PBs-seekers to beginners,” said Alberto Uncini Manganelli, General Manager Running & Credibility Sports at adidas. “This event shows our relentless commitment to drive sport and performance to new, unseen and unexpected levels, to make the best products for all runners – it unites us, our teams, athletes and partners to the same mission. I’m very honored to be a part of it.”
This year, for the first time, adidas has created a limited-edition Adizero: Road to Records race pack which all athletes will be wearing on race day in honor of Agnes Tirop of Kenya. The race kit includes 8-pieces of Adizero apparel and footwear – special editions of the Adizero Takumi Sen 10 and Adizero Adios Pro 3, as well as crop-tops, shorts and singlets. The leopard print designs and bright colorways are inspired by the race kit Agnes wore at Adizero: Road to Records in 2021, when she broke the women-only 10K world record.
The late Agnes Tirop pictured winning the women’s 10K race and breaking the women-only world record at Adizero: Road to Records in 2021
The race pack was designed with the ambition to raise awareness for the issue of gender-based violence against women and to keep Agnes’ legacy alive, with a portion of the proceeds going to Tirop’s Angels – an organization set up by family members, fellow athletes and friends of Agnes following her tragic death in 2021.
Experience fast with the Adizero franchise available from March 28, 2024 via the adidas app, online at www.adidas.co.za and selected retailers. Follow the conversation on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter using #RoadToRecords and @adidasrunning.