And the Winners Are…

In our February edition, we announced that for the first time since it was launched in 2009, Modern Athlete magazine is presenting a comprehensive annual Modern Athlete of the Year Awards, to recognise as many deserving South African athletes as we can, for their performances in 2023, across all the disciplines of athletics and running that we cover in this mag. And here, after putting out heads together and discussing, comparing, tabulating and debating, are our winners for 2023! – By Manfred Seidler, Stephen Granger, Altus Schreuder & Sean Falconer 

Take Charge!

If you were ever in a dangerous, life-threatening situation while you were out running or cycling – or anywhere else, for that matter – would you know what to do, in that split second, to possibly save your life? Or what not to do? Do you know there are only three things you can do? To find out more, we spoke to Mark Grobbelaar, runner and founder of INpowered, a revolutionary approach to personal protection.

The Running Mann: The Mann in the Middelburg

I have visited Middelburg several times to run the Loskop Ultra Marathon, but have spent very little time in the town itself, as the Loskop route directs you straight out of town and towards the Loskop Dam. Therefore, I was looking forward to getting better acquainted with the Mpumalanga town during the Blue Mining MMC Marathon, which was the only January marathon I did not yet have on my running CV… – By Stuart Mann 

Lessons in self-belief

I recently received an invitational entry to participate in the Cape Town edition of the SPAR Grand Prix, and at first, I was jumping up and down like a kid in a candy store, but that joy quickly turned into doubt when I read the event digimag and saw the list of junior entrants that I would be racing. I believe in myself, but some days I have a lapse in self-belief, but I know this is just another test I have to overcome on my journey through life. – By Ela Meiring 

 Keep Kalmer, It’s Just the Comrades!

Some people in South Africa believe that you’re not a ‘real runner’ until you have run the Comrades Marathon, no matter how many national titles you’ve won, or Olympic Marathons you’ve run. Just ask sisters René and Christine Kalmer, who for many years have lit up the South African running scene, from track and cross country, to marathons and shorter ultras… and yet still sometimes feel that their Comrades-running husbands are the ‘real runners’ in the family. But that’s set to change this June. – By Sean Falconer 

PUMA SIGNS TWO OCEANS ULTRA CHAMP

Cape Town, South Africa, March 2024 

PUMA has signed a partnership with ultra-marathon champion Givemore Mudzinganyama.

Mudzinganyama, the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon defending champion, said he was inspired to partner with the brand by seeing PUMA international and local athletes achieving their goals: “For example, Precious Mashele ran a 10km South African record last year. I’m also loving the comfort and cushioning of the shoes.”

Rae Trew-Browne, PUMA SA Run Train Marketing Manager, said having an athlete of Givemore Mudzinganyama’s calibre joining the family showed how far the PUMA NITRO running footwear had progressed, in particular the PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 2 and the PUMA Fast-R2 NITRO Elite which will be Mudzinganyama choice of race shoes.

“We are delighted to welcome Givemore to PUMA and look forward to working with him as he attempts to defend his 2023 Two Oceans Marathon title,” said Trew-Browne.

A member of the Entsika Athletics Club, Mudzinganyama trains at Zoolake under the watchful eye of coach Hendrik Ramaala. I love to train with the Zoolake training group. Everyone is ambitious and has their own goals, so we are always challenging each other. Then after training we regroup, reflect, and talk about our future endeavours,” he said.

Although capable of racing across many different distances, he prefers marathons and ultra-marathons. “I love these distances because they are influenced by many factors like nutrition during the event, endurance, fatigue, and mental focus as we’re running for many hours. Trying to perfect all these factors at once is always mind blowing and interesting,” he said.

Asked about his past successes and future goals, Mudzinganyama said: “Winning and running well is always rewarding. It’s a mental boost because you know that your training is working. I’m happy with the past and the present and I’m looking forward for good achievements in the near future.”

Givemore Mudzinganyama PUMA Q&A 

Q: What do you enjoy most about your sport?
A:
When I’m running I feel more free and relaxed. I feel in control of every thought in my mind and I also become ambitious and curious about my goals both relating to running and outside of running. I also like running because it’s a healthy lifestyle.

Q: What has running taught you?

A:That you need to be patient and you need to put together your fitness goals and physical abilities at an equilibrium level. Consistency is measured in weeks, months and years. When you put everything together success is on the way.

Q: Anything that has boosted your performance over the past year?

A:After I lost my job, I joined the Entsika Athletics Club and this has enabled me to fully commit to running and I haven’t missed a single training session at Zoolake with my coach Hendrik Ramaala.

Q:Tell us about winning the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon?

A: Winning and running well is always rewarding. It’s a mental boost because you know that your training is working. I’m happy with the past and the present and I’m looking forward for good achievements in the near future.

Q: Your favourite place to train?

A:I love to train with the Zoolake training group. Everyone is ambitious and has their own goals, so we are always challenging each other. Then after training we regroup, reflect and talk about our future endeavours.

Q: Your favourite race?

A: For now I can say the Two Oceans Ultra. The puzzle worked really well last year so my thoughts are on trying to perfect the way I trained last year.

Q: Which are your favourite distances to race?

A:I’m enjoying marathons and ultra-marathons. I love these distances because they are influenced by many factors like nutrition during the event, endurance, fatigue and mental focus as we’re running for many hours. Trying to perfect all these factors at once is always mind blowing and interesting.

Q: Tell us where your journey as a runner began?

A:I grew up loving many sports but during my school years I started doing athletics and I was always selected to represent my school. It became the gateway to travel to see different cities as we were from rural areas. It took self-commitment to drive me to keep on loving running, but I was also lucky to find mentors who have guided me with life lessons which have positively impacted my sporting career.

Q:What are your goals for 2024?

A: To run well at the Two Oceans Ultra and add another marathon or ultra-marathon later in the year, around September or October. In between I’ll try to enjoy some fast, short races to rejuvenate myself.

Q: What shoes do you compete in?

A:I’m currently exploring the PUMA shoe range and so for I am loving the Deviate NITRO 2.

Q: Do your train in different shoes and if so why?

A: I train in different types of shoes. It’s mainly determined by terrain conditions, the speed you’re running and the distance you want to cover. Longer easy runs will require higher comfort and cushioning. Faster runs will demand lighter and responsive shoes. Sometimes you need more grip on slippery and rough pathways.

Q: Why have you decided to partner with the brand?

A:I am inspired by PUMA international and local athletes achieving their goals. For example, Precious Mashele who ran a 10km South African record last year. I’m also loving the comfort and cushioning of the shoes.

Q: Any key factors that have boosted your career?

A: Getting married in 2013. My partner is also an athlete, so our daily routine is dedicated to sports as we are constantly trying to find how we can improve.

Q: When challenges hit you during a race, how do you make yourself push on?

A: I look back at some of the hard training efforts. At times I seek support from the fans cheering along the route.

Q: Advice for young aspiring athletes?

A: Find and join a professional running group and grow within that community.

Mgabhi laces up for 520km ultra to provide another 520 pairs of school shoes

22 February 2024

She’s already raised over R3 million to upgrade school buildings, build offices and toilet blocks, and buy school shoes for children who don’t have them, and Nontuthuko Mgabhi is not done yet.

Inspired by the struggles of many KwaZulu-Natal children who face barriers to education due to the lack of basic necessities like shoes, Mgabhi has decided to once again turn her passion for running into a force for positive change.

The Richards Bay runner will be taking in the 520km ultramarathon, The Track Namibia, from 15-24 May with the mission of raising money to provide another 520 pairs of school shoes to those in need.

Spanning 10 days, The Track Namibia takes place in southern Namibia, between the Swakop River in the Erongo region and the Sossusvlei dunes.

First up is the Valley of the Moon with its unusual canyons giving it the aspect of a lunar surface. The route then continues through Namib-Naukluft Park. After crossing the tropic of Capricorn between the Gaub and Kuiseb passes, runners will continue south towards the small town of Solitaire in central Namibia. The last part of the race takes runners to Sesriem and the Sossusvlei dunes.

“The distance and the challenge is new for me,” said Mgabhi. “I am excited to test my limits and push the needle. This will be forward progress for me in ultra-running.  From an adventure side, the Valley of the Moon and its multiple canyons have been on my to-do list. And from a social good point of view, I will get to do this while assisting a child in need with school shoes.”

Mgabhi has been down this gruelling road before – having run seven marathons in seven days on seven continents and, more recently, completing the 160km Ultra-Asia race in Vietnam – all with the aim of improving the lives of young people in her province. Funds raised through her Namibian challenge will provide shoes for primary school children in Empangeni, Mtubatuba and Durban.

“I believe in giving back, I am grateful that I am able to give back through my passion: a love of running, travel and nature. It is wonderful to live a life that is authentic with impact. To prepare for these races, although challenging, is not a chore for me – it is a privilege to get to do this. I have the health and means to do it.

“Through long-distance running, we have built classrooms, school toilets, administration buildings, renovated schools, donated school uniforms, books and food parcels. All of this through living my life aligned with my values of health, service and impact. I am humbled by the support from generous donors and sponsors who support my causes and whose values align with mine.

“To consistently deliver social value and impact means there are people invested in giving back – for whom being of service is a way of life. Some of them are small businesses who believe in good deeds. Some are ongoing partners like Bidvest Tank Terminals (BTT) and Salomon.”

Speaking about the ultramarathon itself, which will see her venturing to Namibia for the first time, Mgabhi reckoned: “I am looking forward to running through one of the most spectacular places in Southern Africa.

“The toughest part is mental, managing issues of the mind. The second toughest part in physical – in food self-sufficiency races, the challenging part is carrying your heavy backpack and managing your energy and fuelling. This needs self-awareness, planning and strategy.”

Those wishing to contribute to the cause can contact Mgabhi on:  nontu.mgabhi@icloud.com or 082 839 6442.

“Even one pair of shoes will make a difference,” she explained. “I do not underestimate small efforts. I encourage people to partner with me on this amazing journey by donating towards the cause. A total of 520 children in need will be beneficiaries. Let’s send love and hope to the world.”

Which SA athletes are on track for Olympic selection?

By Karien Jonckheere

With the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games now five months away, 11 South African athletes have already achieved qualification standards for the global showpiece.

The most recent name to be added to that list was Cian Oldknow who ran the second-fastest marathon time by a South African woman of 2 hours 25 minutes and 08 seconds in Seville last weekend.

“I’m still feeling so excited and over the moon about running the qualifying time,” said the 27-year-old. “It was what we had set out to do in Seville. So to have actually done it is both a relief and an amazing feeling of gratitude and joy.”

Also among the qualifiers in the marathon are SA record holder Gerda Steyn who ran a 2:24:03 in December last year and Irvette van Zyl who ran 2:26:11 in Valencia in December 2022, while among the men, only Stephen Makoka has achieved the mark, running 2:06:42 in Osaka last February.

The timeline for achieving qualifying marks in track and field, apart from the 10,000m and combined events, began on 1 July 2023, with the final deadline for qualification coming up on 30 June 2024, while on the road, marathon runners had between 6 November 2022 and 5 May 2024 to qualify.

Among the first to achieve their qualification mark on the track was two-time Olympic 100m finalist Akani Simbine whose time of 9.97 seconds run on 16 July last year in Poland all but booked his ticket to Paris.

“I qualified for Olympics last year already and having that weight off my shoulders makes it easier for us to plan our season gearing up to the Olympics,” he explained. “I don’t need to stress about racing and getting my Q for the Games.”

Other track athletes who have ‘the Q’ are Luxolo Adams in the 200m, world record-holder Wayde van Niekerk and Zakithi Nene (400m), Tshepo Tshite (1500m0, Adriaan Wildschutt (5000m) and Marioné Fourie (100m hurdles).

Qualification for Paris is not only attained by achieving entry standards, however – with an additional 50 per cent of qualifiers being decided via world rankings. Taking that into account, 10 more athletes (along with the men’s 4x100m relay team) could be added to the list eligible for selection if they maintain their current rankings by the cutoff date of 7 July for track and field and 12 May for the marathon.

With several months still to achieve both entry standards and work their way up the world rankings, even more could be added, with a limit of three per country per event.

Speaking about the composition of the team, Simbine reckoned: “Team SA is going through a transition. There are younger athletes that are coming into the sport and I’m hoping they take the opportunity with both hands and come into the space with maturity and hunger to commit and do great things.”

“I’m looking forward to the guys qualifying and believing that they can compete against the world.”