Category: Advertorial

Toyota Warrior Races have become a regular on the race circuit, the gutsy obstacle course race is the perfect test of endurance for any athlete, its combination of fitness and fun makes it the perfect event for anyone and everyone to take part in. 

Just ask Jason Fritz, he has taken on more than 43 Toyota Warrior races over the last 7 years. This dedicated warrior has fought bravely on the muddy battlefield and triumphed over many obstacles. We wanted to find out a little more of why exactly he keeps coming back for more! 

Exactly how many Toyota Warrior races have you finished?

30 Black-ops Elite's

5   Commando Elite's

8   Rookie's

What is it that you most enjoy about the Toyota Warrior races?

There are many things I enjoy about the Toyota Warrior Race, but if I need to single out one or two things, I would say it's the people you meet on course and by the finishline the friends you have made, and of course the awesome challenges that you face at each race. 

What’s your all-time favourite obstacle?

It has to be the flying monkey and any heavy pull obstacles.
*for those that are newbies the flying monkey is a set of overhead bars that you literaly swing from one bar to another like a monkey. Heavy pull obstacles … pulling heavy objects from point A to B ;0

What’s your least favourite obstacle?

Sjoe, the running is by far the hardest thing for me – I am a big guy and definetly not the quickest runner on the course.

What is your advice for all the Warrior Rookies taking on their first race? 

Go out, have fun, enjoy it, take it a challenge at time, you can always improve on the next race, what is important is to remember the main reason you are doing the Toyota Warrior is to have fun and meet like minded people who like you want to enjoy themselves.  

Do you currently do any training?

I recently started with a running coach and have been working on my running a lot. I train grip work and obstacle twice a week with strength work in between.

What motivates and drives you to finish?

The feeling of accomplishment and knowing that your training and hard work pays off, is a huge motivating factor to finish.  Knowing that we are privileged to do what we do and have the opportunity to race, inspires me to always give my best.

Do you have a psych-up mix of songs, and which one is at the top?

On the way to a race I listen to good old house music in the car. Before a race and on warm-up it’s me and the natural sound around me.

The Toyota Warrior race is the perfect combination of fitness and fun for everyone taking part. Distances range anything from 5-kilometres to 15-kilometres with three categories to set them apart, namely: Rookies, Commandos and Black-Ops. This gutsy obstacle course race has proven to test the endurance of many top athletes, in search of the ultimate warrior. Through burpees, climbing, running, crawling and jumping, a hero emerged.

Do you think you have what it takes to beat Jason at his game? Enter now for the Toyota Warrior race taking place 24 November 2018, at Soweto.

What makes someone come back year after year to tackle one of the toughest ultra-marathons in the world? Non-runners can’t comprehend it, but for die-hard Comrades runners, the siren’s call of those 89.9 kilometres of waiting tar, including the challenge to run it better than last year, is too loud to ignore. It’s this drive to continually improve on the previous year that brings 44-year-old Bheki Khumalo to the start line for the 15th time this year.

SOCCER’S LOSS, RUNNING’S GAIN
Growing up in Northern KZN, Bheki was too little to play soccer with the older boys, so to occupy himself, he started running around the field. Running soon became a passion, and Bheki never made it onto the soccer pitch. Instead, he was dreaming of running marathons. Despite not having running shoes – he trained in his father’s gardening boots – he started excelling in school races. On hearing about Comrades, he ran from his village to Mandeni to find an athletics club to join so he could enter this marathon of marathons.

His first Comrades was in 1996, which he finished in an impressive 7:23:16 to earn his first silver medal. It was also his hardest Comrades. “I didn’t have proper running shoes and wasn’t at all ready for the pain of that race,” he says. “I finished with bleeding toes and lost all my toenails.” Thanks to the generosity of a man who saw him running and gave him a decent pair of running shoes, Bheki came back stronger the following year to finish in an exceptional 6:52:00 and earn another silver medal. “It was those shoes,” he laughs. “They gave me the confidence to perform at my best!”

UNEXPECTED SUPPORT
Having moved to Wyebank in 2007, Bheki didn’t run as competitively as before. “With a young family there wasn’t the financial means to enter races or buy good running shoes. That was okay, every parent understands your children come first,” he says, but he didn’t stop running, because he says running is his life. “It’s like breathing for me, I have to run. It’s part of who I am.”

In 2015 he began working as a gardener at St Mary’s Diocesan School for Girls in Kloof, and when a teacher spotted him running on the school field wearing a Comrades peak, the school realised it had a successful Comrades athlete on its staff and began assisting Bheki to obtain running apparel and supplements. That support saw Bheki back on the Comrades starting line in 2017, for the first time since 2014, and he bounced back straight away with another silver medal in 7:09:03!

Now in 2018 he will line up for the 15th time, and he says he feels ready for the race. “I believe discipline, patience and learning what your body is capable of handling are the most important aspects of training. I run 8 to 10 kilometres from home to work and back every day. I’m up at 3am every day to train before work, and on hectic training days I’ll even start at midnight. I normally run one Comrades qualifier, but this year I ran three, including my first Two Oceans in Cape Town.”

“Good supplements are also important, especially as you get older. I’ve used Threshhold MSM for the past 10 months and seen big improvements in my stamina and recovery times. The painful joints and muscle stiffness I used to experience have gone. And post-run protein shakes help too.”

SHARING THE EXPERIENCE
When asked if he has any advice for first-time Comrades runners, Bheki says, “Make sure you’re as mentally and physically prepared as possible. No-one can be totally prepared for their first Comrades, but if you run at the same pace you train at, you’ll be okay. Don’t start too fast, and make sure you have proper shoes! Also, for nutrition, stick to what works, don’t try anything new on the race. I use protein shakes, peanuts and chips. I also take bananas and lots of water from the tables.”

Bheki adds that running has taught him so much, especially discipline and commitment. “I know no other life but running. It’s shown me how strong my desire to excel is. Each year I try to improve on the previous year, and unless you win Comrades, you can never stop improving or learning. Also, running seems like a solitary sport, but knowing there are people rooting for me has had a huge impact on my performance. I ran many races in the past where I was alone, and it was very hard, so I’m so humbled by the support St Mary’s has given me. My dream is to one day win a gold medal and have my family waiting for me at the finish.”

Are you a trail runner on the hunt for adventure and that something out of the ordinary? Well, the Cathedral Peak Challenge in the Drakensberg Mountains provides the challenge you have been yearning for. Any and all runners are invited to take up the Challenge, and all that stands between you and your share of the cash prizes totalling R100,000 is the time you take to complete it, but this is also so much more than just a race to the top!

English poet William Blake wrote, “Great things are done when men and mountains meet,” and the Cathedral Peak Challenge invites everyone who thinks they’re up to conquering the Peak’s summit to push themselves to new heights. Running for four months from 1 June to 30 September 2018, the Challenge presents a wonderful opportunity to embrace winter training and mountain running while being able to connect with one of South Africa’s most glorious mountains in one of the most beautiful areas of KwaZulu-Natal.

At 3004m, Cathedral Peak is one of the most popular peaks in the Drakensberg, and was first climbed by D W Bassett-Smith and R G Kingdon in 1917. The new Challenge, conceptualised by the owner of the Cathedral Peak Hotel, William Van Der Riet, is a 20.7km up-and-down round trip with 1531m of climbing, starting at the Hotel and using a a well-worn path to Orange Peel Gap, along a ridge and up Bugger Gully. The route winds along a fairly clear path, but the final stretch to the summit is steep, exposed and can be treacherous at times. Once you have reached the summit, take a moment to celebrate, but remember the clock is running and the view should be not be enjoyed for too long, as you will still need to navigate the route down.

And here’s the best part – you can enter and complete the Challenge as many times as you wish. If you aren’t quite happy with your first attempt, you can come back and try again… and again… and again… until the final day of the Challenge on 30 September. (Note: This route takes up to 10 hours for a normal day hike, but running times are considerably faster.)

Let's Get Started
At the launch of the Challenge on 10 May, some of the biggest names in South African trail running were in action to set the initial times to beat. Meg 'Jet Shoes' Mackenzie, one of SA's top female runners, completed the challenge in a brilliant 2 hours and 53 minutes for the fastest time on the day, with the rest of the top 5 times posted by Perfect Dlamini (3:04), Thomas van Tonder (3:08), Greg Avierinos (3:24) and Sue Don-Wauchope (3:27).

Other well-known elite trail runners in action were Iain Don-Wauchope, Tracy Zunckel, Bennie Roux and Nikki Booyens, while various other VIPs, celebs and journo's also joined the day’s proceedings. Even reigning Mrs South Africa, Nicole Capper, took on the mountain. So, why all the fuss about a mountain? For hotel owner William, the Cathedral Peak Challenge is not just a call to beat or overcome the mountain, it’s an invitation for South Africans to reclaim the spiritual loss caused by a modern lifestyle.

“Here at Cathedral Peak Hotel, we’ve been witnessing a worrying trend over the last decade or so. Whilst we always have an abundance of guests coming here to escape city life, sadly, fewer people are actually engaging with nature on their visit. Guests can choose from 18 different walks and hikes, ranging from gentle strolls down the riverside to scaling the summit of Cathedral Peak itself, and every single one of these outings is complimentary, so why come all the way here, only to stay on the premises?” he questions.

In his search for the answer, William says he has made it his mission to encourage guests to harness the beauty and energy of the stunning natural surroundings as a remedy to the chaos and stress of city life. “What we’re aiming to achieve with The Challenge cannot be accomplished in a single day. We wanted to offer something more than just a once-off experience. That’s also why it’s running over four months. We want people to come back time and again. And no, they don’t have to stay at the hotel, they’re welcome to just come and connect with what is the highest free-standing peak in South Africa’s revered Mountain of Dragons.”

So, do you have what it takes to #ChallengeYourself? For more information and to register for the Cathedral Peak Challenge, click on the link below

 

www.facebook.com/CathedralPeakHotel
@CathedralPeakH
@cathedralpeakhotel

Earlier this year we announced that the Diacore Gaborone Marathon was offering a 1 million pula (US$100,000) incentive to the first runner to complete the 42.2km race in under 2 hours and 8 minutes. Considering the course record is currently 2:17, the runners are going to have to push hard to try and break 2:08:00! We have browsed through the start list and have identified the following runners who we believe will be the top contenders on the day!

Namibian Runners

Paulus Iiyambo (36)

Club: NDF

The Defending Champion in the Diacore Gaborone Marathon, Paulus set his PB of 2:18 at last year’s race. This year he will be out to defend his title and better his own fastest time, and having raced and won on this course before, he will know what it is going to take to break the 2h08 marathon!

Simon Shipingana (40)

Club: NDF

Simon’s driving force will not only be to beat his PB of 2:19, but also to ensure that he doesn’t finish behind fellow countryman, Paulus! Given the incentive that awaits the runners at the finish line, he has a lot of motivation to up the ante and shed those 11 minutes that hold him back. Running alongside Paulus will surely provide him comfort and familiarity, but in the final kays it will be every man for himself!

Pinehas Embashu (41)

Club: NDF

While Pinehas is one of the older contenders, his experience may help him beat the rest of the field. His 2017 marathon time for the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon was 2:27, placing him in the top 20. Faced with another flat course at the Diacore Gaborone Marathon, he might find that he is able to push still harder to break that elusive 2:08 mark.

Kenya Runners

Japhet Koech (33)

Club: Kenya Elite Runners

Japhet ran a remarkable 2:16 in the Edinburgh Marathon, despite missing flights, sleeping on airport floors and travelling right up until the day before the race! If he is able to run a PB after enduring four days of stress and discomfort, we can’t wait to see what he will do when well-rested and focused!

Zimbabwean Runners

Jari Munyaradzi (28)

Club: n/a

Jari is one of the top contenders with a PB of 2:16, but as it is with every race, it all comes down to race day! He will no doubt push to place himself in front and wait until the last few kilometres to make his final move and extend the remarkable record of Zimbabwean runners in southern African races.

South African Runners

Peter Medupe (43)

Club: n/a

Peter’s PB is 2:30, which he achieved at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, and his talent and ability to race puts him amongst the contenders on our list. He ran a 2:35 in Gaborone last year, so has a challenge ahead of him, but with the right motivation anything is possible!

Botswana Runners

Phenyo Gabafiwe (37)

Club: Moroka Athletics Club

With a marathon PB of 2:17, Phenyo could be a real contender if he is able to tap into his home ground advantage and the crowds of local supporters cheering him on. That could see him take the top spot in the 2018 race.

Dikgakgamatso Modisagape (25)

Club: n/a

Dikgakgamatso won the Gaborone Mayor’s Marathon in a time of 2:30, so while breaking 2:08 might seem like a big task, he does have home ground advantage. He often places in the top three in local races and clearly knows what it takes to race the best on home soil, and the incentive will no doubt be the dangling carrot that drives him forward on race day.

Lesotho Runners

Lucas Raseruthe (37)

Club: n/a

Lucas is another runner who could dig deep to win in Gaborone. He has been hovering at the 2:20 mark, with a PB of 2:23 set at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, and a most recent 2:26 performance at the NMB 1 City Marathon in Port Elizabeth. If he is able to stay with the front runners, he will be in with a chance.

Augostines Bokaako (33)

Club: n/a

Augostines has recently received a sponsorship from MGM Training, which has seen him reduce his 1km time from 3m05sec to a scintillating 2m45. His current PB for the marathon is 2:33, but with the training he has been receiving, he might be able to push his boundaries and chase down that one million pula prize.

Training for Comrades or any endurance-based sport pushes your capabilities as an athlete to the limit, and when training at this level, supplements are not a luxury, they are a necessity. However, as athletes we want to know exactly what we are putting into our bodies, instead of blindly taking a pill.

The good news is that THRESHHold® has done the research and is here to tell you why you should be taking this supplement every day! A treatment for chronic joint pain, it has been on the market for over 10 years, but not until recently have runners discovered its benefits in not only assisting recovery, but in improving performance as well.

What is THRESHHold®
THRESHHold® is made up of pure MSM – methylsulphonylmethane, an organically bonded sulphur – which is a naturally-occurring compound essential for the structure of every living cell. In fact, sulphur is one of the most abundant substances in the body, and crucial to maintaining healthy joints, ligaments, tendons, cartilage and connective tissue. The problem is that sulphur can’t be made by the body, it must be obtained through diet. Fortunately, you’ll find it in many fruits, vegetables (generally the smelly kind, such as cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, etc.) and grains.

Well, in an ideal world you would. The trouble is that with today's long farm-to-table times, cold storage and cooking methods, much of food’s sulphur content is potentially lost before we even eat it, and because of this we can become sulphur-deficient. This not only impacts our day-to-day health, but may significantly affect our athletic performance, a fact many runners are unaware of.

So how does THRESHHold® help me?
MSM is a clinically proven natural anti-inflammatory. It helps reduce pro-inflammatory markers and increases anti-inflammatory markers to inhibit excessive inflammation caused by physical exertion. It also provides relief from pain and inflammation following exercise. MSM is also a vital building block for the regeneration of damaged connective tissue and protects muscles and joints from exercise-induced damage and pain, thus providing faster post-exercise recovery.

It also maintains levels of glutathione, which aids strength and endurance and helps reduce injury recovery time. Increased antioxidant enzyme levels is another benefit, meaning it helps protect against muscle damage during exercise, once again improving performance and shortening recovery time.

Expert Opinion
Dr David Naude, a homeopath running his 10th Comrades Marathon this year, explains why MSM is gaining prominence amongst runners: “There have been two parallel trends gaining momentum the past five years. The first is the global trend toward natural products for day-to-day general health management. Where in the past natural products were a last resort, today they are often a person’s first choice, even when visiting their doctor. The second trend is the unceasing demand from athletes for products that improve performance and recovery, but in line with the first trend, are also effective, of high quality, natural and chemical-free. Athletes are doing more of their own research and becoming more savvy about what they put in their bodies, and so MSM’s benefits are coming to the fore.”

We all know natural is best, and with THRESHHold® you know you are getting what your body needs, not only to recover better, but also to improve your performance on the day!

*Each THRESHHold® tablet contains 1000mg of pure, four-times distilled OptiMSM. For maintenance, 2-3 tablets can be taken daily, while dosage can be increased to 6 tablets daily during periods of intensive exercise.

Runners who train correctly understand that rest and recovery are as important as those long runs and interval sessions and should be included in your programme! There is a lot that runners can do to aid their rest and recovery including taking supplements, and THRESHHold® is a great way to support the recovery process.

Perhaps the most important scientific training principle that leads to improved fitness and performance is the principle of overload and adaptation: In order for training adaptation to take place, the intensity of the physical activity must exceed that to which the individual is already conditioned. The body must receive a progressive and systematic overloading. In other words, if we are to become stronger and faster runners, we must stress our bodies beyond our current capacity. However, when we do this, we effectively damage the muscles, by creating little micro-tears in them, and if we do not allow these micro-tears to heal, we do further damage the next time we train or compete, which results in decreased performance and injury.

Therefore, the key to the principle of overload is rest and recovery, which allows the body time to repair these small micro-tears, which in turn makes the muscles stronger and equates to faster and improved performances. Determining exactly how much rest you need is a little trickier, as our bodies are unique. As a rule, regardless of your level of fitness or ability, every runner should take at least one day’s full rest a week. For some runners, however, two days’ rest is required, and if you are just starting out, rather include two rest days in your week. Also, if you’re getting on in years, accept the fact that your body is not going to heal itself as quickly as that of a 20-year-old, so allow even more time to recover.

A Helping Hand
The use of THRESHHold® is scientifically proven to improve recovery from exercise by dampening the inflammatory response and reducing oxidative stress caused by exercise, in doing so there is less post-exercise muscle and joint soreness and returning to regular training occurs sooner. A vital building block for the regeneration of damaged connective tissue, MSM has the ability to boost and maintain glutathione levels post exercise, which may help to reduce recovery time from injuries. Using THRESHHold® over time helps your body to maintain healthy joints, cartilage and muscles which are essential elements for improving your running performance!

The key is to listen to your body, then you’ll know when it’s time for extra rest – and you will not lose any fitness or forfeit any progress by taking a rest day. You only stand to gain from rest! The second part of rest is active recovery, when you continue to exercise, but in such a way that you allow the body to continue its healing process. This might entail a swim, bike, gym or aqua-jogging session, where you can continue building endurance or strength, but without using the same muscles over and over. Include one or two of these sessions in your weekly training.

Lastly, be careful not to overstress your body. Running hard every day is a sure way to end up injured, or sick, because your body is not given time to repair itself, so alternate hard sessions with rest, active rest or easy sessions. For example, a hard track session on Tuesday would be followed by an easy 5km run on Wednesday, and a hard hill session on Thursday can be followed by a core workout session in the gym on Friday, or a long, slow run on Sunday followed by a full rest day on Monday. THRESHHold® will assist your body with the recovery process; good recovery means stronger body for the days you have to push hard to reach your goals!

*Each THRESHHold® tablet contains 1000mg of pure, four-times distilled OptiMSM. For maintenance, 2-3 tablets can be taken daily, while dosage can be increased to 6 tablets daily during periods of intensive exercise.

Continuing in PUMA’s tradition of developing game-changing innovations, the global sports brand recently introduced NETFIT – a unique customisable lacing system that offers infinite performance and style options in one shoe. The brand now releases its latest performance trainer featuring this innovation, the IGNITE NETFIT.

NETFIT technology enhances fit and support by combining a high-grade engineered net with form-fitting base materials. The IGNITE NETFIT user will now have complete control and versatility over how they lace up. No matter the style, needs or shape, anyone can customise their shoe the way they see fit. The options are limitless, bringing customisation to another level and giving everyone the chance to be as creative as they possibly can.

The IGNITE NETFIT also features PUMA’s evoKNIT form-fitting knit for added comfort and a fresh look. The heel is reinforced by PUMA’s TPU heel clip, locking the heel into the platform of the shoe for ultimate stabilisation.

The IGNITE NETFIT boasts PUMA’s proprietary PU foam with a brand-new chevron design giving users superior energy return and comfort. Combine this with the Molded EVA sockliner and the result is ultimate comfort on every run. The outsole provides a perfect platform for users to take every stride with confidence, while PUMA’s EverTrack outsole rubber gives durability and traction from heel to toe, with flex grooves allowing for full flexibility at toe-off. To add to this, a redesigned transition line runs from the heel to the toe of the shoe and mimics the natural gait of the user to create the smoothest ride possible.

IGNITE NETFIT offers full form-fitting comfort, allowing users to totally customise their fit and style. The innovation and performance teams at PUMA have developed five different lacing options to help provide guidance, but the possibilities to lace are endless. These five lacing systems include Standard lacing, for runners who need minimal support; Stability lacing, for runners who need additional medial support; Wide Foot lacing, for runners with wider feet that need extra room; Narrow Foot lacing, for runners with narrow feet; and Heel Support lacing, for runners who prefer a tighter fit around the heel.

The fastest man in the world, Usain Bolt, is training with IGNITE NETFIT for the World Championships in London 2017. “I do a lot of training – sometimes a bit too much – and it’s always different. Sometimes I’m doing power work, and then sometimes it’s speed and agility work, so it’s important to have a shoe that’s flexible enough to do the right exercise,” says Bolt. “The best thing about the NETFIT Technology is that it is customisable and I can lace them any way I want, not only to get the best fit, but it gives me the opportunity to be creative with it. Sometimes you wish you could just design shoes purely tailored to your own feet and now you can. Plus, they look great, and that’s always the most important thing, right?”

Adam Petrick, Global Marketing Director, said: “Our goal at PUMA is to constantly push the design of sports products forward in unique and innovative ways. NETFIT certainly does that: It’s a performance innovation that allows for athletes at every level and across a range of sports to create their own, perfectly customised fit. But maybe even more exciting are the opportunities for creativity – anyone can use laces of different colors, widths, lengths and styles to create a personal expression for each individual taste. With NETFIT, we’re bringing fashion and style to the world of sports in a way that is uniquely PUMA.”

PUMA IGNITE NETFIT will be available in PUMA stores from 15 July 2017, retailing at R2799 for men and R2599 for women.

#LacedUp

The business of sports in South Africa continues to thrive, with growing numbers of ‘weekend warriors’ and professional athletes investing time and money into disciplines such as running, road cycling and mountain biking. Insurer MiWayLife estimates that South Africa has around 200,000 cyclists, 750,000 runners and 15,000 triathletes, and thus it has developed a bespoke solution catering to needs of these healthy clients.

A division of Sanlam, MiWayLife has introduced a unique policy called MiFitLife especially for high-performing athletes aged 20-60, with up to R5-million in cover. “We wanted to revolutionise the space and offer athletes something that was designed for athletes by fellow athletes, as opposed to being done via the traditional product factory,” says Craig Baker, CEO of MiWayLife.

“When you get people spending upwards of R35,000 to compete in a multi-day stage race like the Absa Cape Epic, it makes sense to insure yourself against injury that could see you falling out at the last minute and losing your entrance fee. MiFitLife recognises the hard work, long hours and sacrifices athletes make to get onto the start line.”

Growing numbers of companies – from fast food chains to banks and investment firms – are investing in sports sponsorships, with the view to gaining more emotional engagement with fans and staff. “What this means for professional athletes is increased pressure to remain healthy so they can perform at a high level. Some are even contracted to deliver podium positions, and an accident can put their livelihood at risk,” says Baker.

Matt's Road to Recovery
MiFitLife covers most of the South African Long Distance Triathlon team, including top triathlete Matt Trautman, whose cover kicked in after a vehicle hit him while out training in the Cape Winelands. As a result he needed a complex spinal fusion, followed by and lengthy recovery. Having become a professional triathlete in 2014 and posted several high profile wins around the world, his plans to defend his title at the Ironman 70.3 in East London in January were thus put on hold.

“Despite the rewards this lifestyle offers, you have to factor in the very real risks of our sport. Running and riding on the open road and pushing your body to new limits in training can have consequences that I know all too well,” says Trautman.

He has now been hit by vehicles on three separate occasions while cycling – and still, in spite of suffering a fractured spine, broken clavicle and a fractured ankle, he has been more fortunate than some. In April, veteran Italian cyclist Michele Scarponi, the 2011 Giro d’Italia champion, was killed in a road accident after being hit by a van while training close to his home.

“For most of my triathlon career I struggled to find a company that offered what I needed, until MiFitLife was introduced by MiWayLife. Having this cover during 2017, when my most serious injury happened, has been instrumental in a long recovery process,” says Trautman, adding that the relief of the financial burden as a result of missing most of his racing year allowed him to focus on rehabilitation and recovery. “I would highly recommend all athletes, from age group category to professional, take out this cover.”

Consider Yourself Covered
The qualifying sports for MiFitLife include running, cycling, surfski paddling, swimming, canoeing and multisport (triathlon and duathlon).

Baker says the South African-developed product is unique in the world. “The ability to obtain cover of this nature and extent without any medical underwriting or testing is an innovation in itself.”

The product is designed around the key risks facing athletes and addresses accident and illness cover with lump sum payouts, discounted insurance cover on sporting equipment, race fee refunds in the case of injury or illness preventing you from competing, and specialised training programmes from MiWayLife coaches. SMS “fit” to 44738 for an obligation-free quote.

Terms and conditions apply. Eligibility, cover and benefits are determined on individual risk profile. MiWayLife is an authorised FSP (No. 45741) and its product offering is underwritten by Sanlam Life Insurance Limited, a registered long-term insurer. MiWayLife is a division of Sanlam Life Insurance Limited – Reg No. 1998/021121/06.