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Type 1 Diabetes doesn’t hold Jono le Roux back!

Roxanne MartinNewsLeave a Comment on Type 1 Diabetes doesn’t hold Jono le Roux back!

As the starting gun fires at 9 am on Friday, April 26th, at the Sani Pass Pub in Lesotho, Jono le Roux, a formidable trail runner and a person living with diabetes, will embark on the challenge of the Ultra-Trail Drakensberg 100 Miler. This isn’t Jono’s first time at the event; last year he finished in 5th place overall in just over 33hrs. However, this year’s race poses new obstacles with significant changes to the route, promising a fresh test of endurance and determination.

Jono’s journey into trail running began in 2015, but it was his diagnosis with type 1 diabetes in 2017 that ignited a deeper commitment to health and fitness. Despite the challenges posed by his condition, Jono has not only embraced ultra-running but has excelled in it. Reflecting on his journey, Jono shares, “Running has provided me with not just a healthier and stronger body but mentally it has also given me so many life lessons. It’s more than just a sport for me, it’s my way of life.”

Managing type 1 diabetes while undertaking endurance sports like ultra-running requires meticulous attention to glucose levels, pacing, and nutrition. Previously, Jono would have had to frequently stop during the race, and check his glucose levels by using the fingerstick method, costing him both time and additional energies, now with advancements in technology this process has been made much easier with the FreeStyle Libre Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) system, a device which enables him to monitor his glucose levels in real-time, empowering him to make informed decisions throughout his races.

“My goal for this year’s race is to embrace it fully and soak up all the good vibes,” says Jono. “I’ve grown as a runner since last year, both in experience and maturity. While I aim to complete the race in 27 hours, my ultimate aspiration is to maintain a sustainable running journey, inspiring others along the way.”

Jono’s story is not just about personal triumph; it’s a testament to the advancements in diabetes care and technology. “With great improvements in diabetes care, from insulin upgrades to management systems and incredible tech like continuous glucose monitors, people living with type 1 diabetes can live more freely and, dare I say, ‘normally,'” he expresses gratefully.

As Jono laces up his shoes and prepares to tackle the challenging terrain of the Ultra-Trail Drakensberg, he embodies resilience, determination, and the spirit of overcoming adversity. His journey is an inspiration to all, showcasing that with passion, perseverance, and the right support, anything is possible.

The Running Mann: Klopping (Overcoming) My Afrikaans Angst

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on 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  

Cows in the Arctic Circle

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on 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

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on 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!

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on 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!

SA champs wraps up with four new automatic qualifiers for Paris Olympics

Roxanne MartinNewsLeave a Comment on SA champs wraps up with four new automatic qualifiers for Paris Olympics

The SA Athletics Championships came to an end in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday with four athletes having added their names to the list of automatic qualifiers for the Olympic Games later this year. They were Zeney Geldenhuys and Rogail Joseph in the 400m hurdles, Benjamin Richardson in the 200m and Lythe Pillay in the 400m, while Zakithi Nene achieved his second qualifying time over 400m at these championships.

The final day’s action saw Marione Fourie claiming a fourth straight national title in the 100m hurdles, winning in a time of 13.01 seconds with Kayla van der Bergh second in 13.40 and former SA record holder Taylon Bieldt third in 13.46.

Fourie admitted afterwards: “Before the race, my brain didn’t want to get the steps in before the first hurdle so I was a little bit stressed but the time wasn’t too bad for my second race [of the season].”

Eight-time champion in the 110m hurdles Antonio Alkana withdrew from the final after overstretching his calf muscle in the warm-up. In his absence, SW Nel claimed his first ever title in 13.73 seconds, so emulating his father and coach, Wimpie, who won the SA title twice, in 1992 and 1993.

“It feels amazing. I didn’t expect it at all. All the hard work is paying off so I’m glad. I have a good coach who I trust so I’m very happy at the moment,” said Nel junior afterwards.

As for being coached by his dad, he joked: “It’s a bit of a pain in the butt because he says: ‘My time was faster,’ or ‘I did it twice.’ So I have to win it two times more and beat his time so I’m almost on his level.”

Speaking about Alkana withdrawing from the final, Nel added: “I was a bit disappointed. If he had run, I think I would have run a better time but I’m happy with the position.”

Also thrilled was his proud dad: “Words can’t describe it. It’s a very humbling feeling,” he beamed.

Meanwhile, after her second place in the 5000m earlier in the competition, Prudence Sekgodiso comfortably defended her 1500m title, pulling away from the pack just before the bell, and cruising to victory in a time of 4:13.09. Charne Swart was second in 4:16.89 and Carina Viljoen third in 4:19.29.

“The race was something else. I have a calf problem, I felt it in the 5k and I wanted to come out in the 5k but I thought – let me just finish it – but the 1500 is my event so I had to show who I am and chase for that gold medal and that’s what I did. It was nice,” she said.

“I regret running that 5k to be honest. Honestly, that was my last,” added Sekgodiso who has set her sights on breaking the SA 1500m record.

Jerry Motsau had a tougher fight on his hands to claim the men’s 1500m title 10 years after winning his first. He fended off his challengers in the final 200m finishing in 3:38.82 with Nkosinathi Sibiya second in 3:39.02 and Niel van der Merwe third in 3:39.78.

“It was a bit of a challenge but if you’re strong in your head, you pull through. I told myself I mustn’t give up, I should run through the tape, so that’s what I did,” he said.

In the field events, Kyle Blignaut defended his shot put title with a best throw of 20.36m, while Mire Reinstorf took women’s pole vault gold with a clearance of 4.15m.

 

Young gun Benjamin outshines Wayde van Niekerk on sizzling day at SA champs

Roxanne MartinNewsLeave a Comment on Young gun Benjamin outshines Wayde van Niekerk on sizzling day at SA champs

Benjamin Richardson produced the largest upset of the SA Athletics Championships so far by outgunning Wayde van Niekerk to win the 200m title in a steamy Pietermaritzburg on Saturday. By Karien Jonckheere, Picture Cecilia van Bers

Van Niekerk chose to focus his efforts on the 200m event in Maritzburg rather than the 400m, in which he won Olympic gold in 2016 in world record time. But Richardson produced a speedy 20.16-second performance to outshine the veteran and take the title while also securing an Olympic qualifying mark. Van Niekerk settled for silver in 20.31.

“I could have [gone faster] but I’m more happy about the moment and the fact that I did my qualifier,” said a thrilled Richardson. “I was happy in the moment with what I did because it took so much effort and I’m just happy right now.”

As for beating Van Niekerk, the 20-year-old said he remembered the exact date he raced against him for the first time back in 2021.

“It shows that through time, things can change and three years later, I’m now first and so now I’m happy and I’m grateful for everything that’s happened – the trials and tribulations.”

Meanwhile, Lythe Pillay surprised even himself on his way to the 400m title in a new personal best time of 44.31 seconds, with Zakithi Nene also achieving his second Olympic qualifying time in the event, taking silver in 44.80.

“We’re still on cloud nine, or rather on cloud 44 right now, but I’m grateful and blessed,” said an amazed Pillay afterwards.

“Being in a very competitive lineup like that, even with Wayde [van Niekerk] not being present, I knew it was going to be a tough race. I was just here to execute and do what I had to do today.

“The plan was just to go, so from the gun have a good reaction, stay controlled, not spilling energy unnecessarily, sticking to my normal tactics, sticking to my normal strength… and everything clicked today,” added the 21-year-old who will be hoping everything also clicks tomorrow when he is writing an accounting exam.

It was a busy day for Shirley Nekhubui who doubled up in the 200 and 400m, successfully securing both titles on the same day.

Nekhubui claimed the 200m victory in 23.28 and followed that up by edging out defending champion Miranda Coetzee for the 400m title as well, winning in a time of 51.77 seconds.

Nekhubui said afterwards she is till hoping to qualify for the Paris Olympic Games in the 400m and will be aiming to do that in Europe in the coming weeks.

Glenrose Xaba completed a double of her own. She overcame the steamy KZN conditions to add the 10,000m title to the 5000m gold she won on Thursday.

In a race that saw several athletes either collapsing or dropping out, Xaba held on to win in a time of 32:56.29 for her seventh national 10,000m title.

Adriaan Wildschutt took the men’s 5000m title in a time of 13:30.38 to make it a double for the family with his brother Nadeel having claimed the 10,000m title on Thursday.

The SA Athletics Championships conclude tomorrow.