The Mountain Ultra Trail by Ultra-trail Mont Blanc, or MUT by UTMB, is firmly rooted in the George community, and continues to support the region’s trail building and maintenance programmes. – By Seamus Allardice with Sean Falconer
Category: Features
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Putting Shoes on Feet
They say the only thing you need to start running is a decent pair of running shoes. Unlike other sporting codes that need playing fields, facilities and equipment, running is just about the shoes and putting one foot in front of the other. However, not all aspiring athletes can afford new running shoes, and that’s where initiatives like Project Run come in. – By Sean Falconer
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
Nutrition: Nutritional Necessities
There’s a lot of advice out there when it comes to nutrition, but keeping these 10 basic tips in mind at all times will go a long way to ensuring you lead a healthy lifestyle. – By Candice De Mendonca
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
Gym Training: 10 Tips Before You Gym
We all love a top 10 list, so let’s look at 10 great ways to get the most out of your training sessions in the gym. What you put in is what you get out! – By Candice De Mendonca
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.