The news that Stephen Mokoka has joined the Hollywood Athletics Club will, quite appropriately, see one of the all-time greats of SA running – running royalty, if you like – donning the regal colour of purple in his local races in 2024. – By Sean Falconer and Manfred Seidler
Go, Shortie!
Thanks to a changing approach to road running around the world, there is a growth taking place at the moment in shorter races, notably street miles and official 5km races. We decided to look at a few of these races, some now well established, some brand new, and how they are bringing an exciting new challenge, and a change in perceptions, to the South African race calendar. – By Sean Falconer
The new (well, almost new) World Road Running Championships took place this month, and besides heralding an exciting new chapter in global road running, the event proved a hugely successful outing for Team South Africa. – By Riel Hauman & Sean Falconer
Against the backdrop of Table Mountain and the bustling Cape Town cityscape, runners of all ages, backgrounds and fitness levels come together in the annual ‘must-do’ Absa Run Your City CAPE TOWN 10K. – By Nicole Hayes
During the recent Johnson Crane Half Marathon in Joburg, 80-year-old Dr Reinie ‘Dok’ Mornet achieved the remarkable feat of completing his 600th half marathon! – By Sean Falconer
I am, unfortunately, still a grumpy old Running Mann, due to a persistent and lingering injury, which means no new race reports for now, but the time away from the road is giving me plenty of time to run statistics, so here is my 2022 Marathon Running Year in Review. By Stuart Mann
Having surpassed the 16 000 entry mark, the 27th edition of the Soweto Marathon is now this year’s biggest one day
race.
Soweto Marathon Trust Chairman, Sello Khunou takes tremendous pride from this achievement, and is grateful to all
those who have entered; “There is no denying that Covid put all events in jeopardy of shutting down. Through tremendous dedication, we are proud to host the 27th event and endeavour to do so to the high standards that our fans have come to expect. This latest achievement is a testament to our loyal fans entering once more – we absolutely cannot wait to have them back come 6 November. And to those who will be running for the first time: We welcome you and wish you a great race in South Africa’s biggest one-day race this year!”
There is Still Time To Enter!
After numerous calls from athletes requesting an extension of the race entry cut-off date, Soweto Marathon organisers heeded the call and so the extension was granted due to public demand. The 27th edition of The People’s Race has made the bold move to extend the closing date of entries in order to allow participants to enter their chosen distance of 10km, 21.1km, or 42.2km.
Entries will remain open until the entry cap is reached, so says Soweto Marathon Trust Chairman Sello Khunou;
“We understand the pressures that our valued runners are under – and as such we are allowing them to enter to participate in their beloved People’s Race. We take note too of their recent participation in other races and know that once the athletes have recovered adequately, they’ll be wanting to hit the streets once more! The Soweto Marathon promises to deliver another top event and I strongly encourage runners from all walks of life to enter – let us celebrate our ability to move, our health, our spirit and our beautiful country.”
So if you would like to be part of making history in out post-COVID-19 era, click here to Enter Today!
Entry Options:
Option 1: With the T-shirt included
The Marathon (42.2km): Entry Fee R550
The Half Marathon (21.1km): Entry Fee R450
Option 2: Without the T-shirt *
The Marathon (42.2km): Entry Fee R400
The Half Marathon (21.1km): Entry Fee R300
* If you change your mind about the T-shirt, you will still be able to buy one later.
STILL MORE SAVINGS FOR YOU…
Every runner that enters this year’s Soweto Marathon, no matter the distance you choose, will be given an online 20% discount voucher from Totalsports on performance shoes priced R2000 and above. That’s a minimum saving of R400 off your next pair of running shoes!
When we feel empowered to tell our stories, there are no limits to how much we can inspire others. Through BEYOND MY IMPOSSIBLE, adidas is empowering 11 women to cross their first marathon finish line, at the 2022 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in October, while sharing their journey to the start line with the running community.
COACH KATHLEEN SHUTTLEWORTH
Living out her core value, “Driven by passion, pursuing excellence” since 2004, Coach Kathleen has guided numerous athletes to achieving provincial and national medals in track, cross country and biathlon.
She’s also helped many runners of all levels to conquer their first marathon or achieve that elusive personal best. Now she is putting her considerable talents to helping 11 women tackle their first marathon.
ZOE BROWN
Age: 32
Resides: Rondebosch
Bio: Zoe describes herself as an “ordinary girl with an extraordinary job.”
She’s a radio presenter for The Flash Drive from 15h00-19h00 on KFM 94.5, and a TV presenter on the Expresso Show on SABC 3.
Follow Zoe’s journey @zbzoebrown
NCEBAKAZI DYANI
Age: 26
Resides: Rondebosch
Bio: Ncebakazi runs with the adidas Runners Cape Town crew and is a hiking fanatic. She describes herself as an adventure enthusiast and the “coolest aunt, daughter and sister!”
Her latest adventure is being on a journey to finish her first marathon.
Follow Ncebakazi’s journey @dyanincebakazi
LENISE SWANSON
Age: 41
Resides: Monte Vista
Bio: As a medical doctor and mother of four, Lenise is an advocate for a healthy lifestyle. She loves taking on new challenges, and this year has chosen to compete in her first full marathon. Her future goal is to participate in major international marathons, while experiencing many wonderful countries and cultures around the world.
Follow Lenise’s journey @lenise_swanson
LEATITIA GRADWELL
Age: 45
Resides: Plumstead
Bio: Leatitia is a wife and mom, who works in the pharmaceutical industry. She describes herself as a Christian girl from Mitchell’s Plain trying to better herself, and hoping it will empower other women in the process.
She believes that “we rise by lifting others.” When it comes to the Cape Town Marathon, Leatitia says she’s going to run with purpose: “I’m pacing myself and I’m going to end strong!”
YENTLE ARENDSE
Age: 33
Resides: Parow
Bio: Yentle is married, has a son and two more stepchildren, and works at a signage company. Family is really important to her, as she lost her Dad at a young age, and sadly, also her mom at the end of 2020. She spends most weekends running, watching her husband and children play soccer, and watching English football.
Follow Yentle’s Journey @yentlearendse
JANA STEYN
Age: 30
Resides: Langebaan
Bio: Jana spent most of her life in the bushveld of Limpopo. She recently moved to the West Coast in the Cape, and is fulfilling her dream to live at the beach.
Jana is a lawyer and enjoys going on all sorts of adventures while exploring her home country.
Follow Jana’s Journey @janasteyn92
KAY ABRAHAMS
Age: 24
Resides: Somerset West
Bio: Kay describes herself as a runner and a creative. Family and community is important to her, and she enjoys the outdoors.
She’s currently on a journey to completing her first marathon, the Cape Town Marathon.
Follow Kay’s Journey @kayabrahams
SHAAKIRAH JAFTHA
Age: 27
Resides: Steenberg
Bio: Shaakirah is a single mom, who was born and raised in the Cape Flats. She is an adidas Runners Booster, and has an absolute passion for running.
Her dream is to inspire change and make a difference through sport, specifically running. She describes herself as “inspired to inspire.”
Follow Shaakirah’s journey @shaakirahjaftha
ASHLEIGH BREDEVELDT
Age: 32
Resides: Southfield
Bio: Ashleigh was born profoundly deaf in Cape Town with an identical womb-mate. She received a cochlear implant at the tender age of five and obtained full language. Today she’s a go-getter who enjoys outdoor activities and exploring hidden gems in South Africa and abroad.
Ashleigh is a graphic designer, a deaf awareness advocate, and is always ready to take on a new challenge!
Follow Ashleigh’s journey @jog4pizza
MELISSA ABRAHAMS
Age: 35
Resides: Bellville
Bio: Having experienced health challenges after being diagnosed with PCOS during her infertility journey, Melissa now considers running her medicine, her coping mechanism, and her quiet time with God. She says she is running towards the vision of becoming a happier, healthier individual, wife, and mother one day soon!
Follow Melissa’s Journey @melissaabrahams
TRACEY ABRAHAMESE
Age: 40
Resides: Plumstead
Bio: Tracey is a 40-year-old single mother to a young daughter and two fur babies. She is passionate about flowers, fitness, fierce females, furry friends, and the outdoors.
Tracey is an advocate for mental health and women’s empowerment, and she firmly believes that women need to uplift, encourage, motivate,
Follow Tracey’s Journey @justcallmetrace_fitness
Dylan Rogers is a sports journalist with Johannesburg radio station HOT 102.7FM and part of the Big Joburg Drive Show, which you can catch 3pm to 6pm Monday to Friday on either 102.7FM or streaming on hot1027.co.za. He’ll be running his first Comrades Marathon in August, after accepting a dare from a friend, who has pledged to donate R500 to charity for every kilometre of Comrades that Dylan is able to complete. This is Dylan’s blog of his journey to the Comrades.
A pretty good week or so, with a couple of milestones. Firstly, it doesn’t matter how old you are, getting new shoes is always a little exciting and brings out the child in every one of us. I’m no different, even at the age of 47! Fortunately, some of my running mates told me that I shouldn’t go anywhere but Randburg Runner in Linden, and they were right. Nick at the store clearly ‘knows his onions,’ and I walked away with this pair of Brooks that I hope will get me to the finish line in Durban. More importantly, Nick gave me the sense of comfort that they will.
The next thing, of course, was putting them to the test. I happened to have an eight-kilometre time trial on my programme the following morning, and since I hadn’t done one in a while, I was curious to see what I could produce – with the new shoes, of course, as well. Anyway, I was pretty chuffed with breaking 25 minutes (24:40) for the 5k and 40 minutes (39:18) for the 8k for the first time, so the speed is looking good – it’s just the strength and endurance that needs constant attention between now and the start line.
Speaking of that, I followed that time trial up with a session at iMude Sport and Wellness in Parkmore, where Riaan has been panel-beating me over the past few months and getting my over-rotated pelvis into line, so the legs were a little stiff the day after. I shook that out with an easy run the day after and then a bit of mileage over the weekend – 19km (two hours) on Saturday and 30km (3:20) on Sunday.
There’s no doubt that this Comrades training thing is a big commitment, and not just from the runner’s perspective. My wife has had to shoulder the bulk of the responsibility with the kids whilst I’ve been out on the weekends, clocking up the hours and miles, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed. Still, I’ve tried to fit in the weekend runs around my family, so there I was, running to the Country Club to meet them on the Saturday, and then running to my in-laws’ place at Blair Atholl, just past Lanseria Airport, on the Sunday – the latter requiring my wife dropping me at the bottom of Peter Place in Bryanston and seeing me nearly three-and-a-half hours later, once I’d navigated William Nicol, Fourways, Malibongwe etc!
The Epsom Salts bath after that was a bit of a treat. Was also good to do a couple of ‘warm’ runs, as this winter training thing largely sees me out early, in the Jo’burg cold, which is not how I’m going to be spending my 28 August. I suspect it’ll be a bit warmer than that! Anyway, more mileage again this week, before the big RAC Long Run on 24 July. Eek!
Dylan Rogers is a sports journalist with Johannesburg radio station HOT 102.7FM and part of the Big Joburg Drive Show, which you can catch 3pm to 6pm Monday to Friday on either 102.7FM or streaming on hot1027.co.za. He’ll be running his first Comrades Marathon in August, after accepting a dare from a friend, who has pledged to donate R500 to charity for every kilometre of Comrades that Dylan is able to complete. This is Dylan’s blog of his journey to the Comrades
So, marathon number two under the belt – Run Zone’s Autumn Chase Marathon in Jo’burg – and a bit of a relief that it was a more enjoyable experience than number one. Enjoyable, definitely, because I was stronger and went a bit harder (and survived!), but make no mistake, marathons are hard!
This time I just hit the wall at a later stage, which, I guess, is encouraging. At Midvaal a month ago, I started taking serious gas at 28km, but this time round I lasted until about 38km, after which it was a bit of a struggle, but that was also because I was trying to break 4:30 for the first time, having done 4:42 at Midvaal.
Needless to say, I had to produce a bit of a burst of ‘speed’ towards the finish line to come in at 4:29:33, but the satisfaction thereafter, with the realisation that I’d achieved my race goal, was pretty special. I just needed to hang onto a nearby piece of boarding, to avoid passing out!
Having grabbed the first energy drink I could find, and somehow dipped my head to have the obligatory medal put round my neck, I looked around for any familiar faces. Even though I was a bit woozy, I found the ‘Charging Fanta Bottle’ – running ‘partner’ Byron Hardy – lazing on the grass, and informed him that I didn’t mind him heading off early in the race, because this was something I needed to do myself, and I didn’t want to hold him back.
Points to Ponder
So, what about some of my other race reflections? Well, I definitely went out slightly harder, trying to aim for a running pace of around 6min/km, but then making sure I walked just about all the water stations and the odd hill, which I obviously did more of in the second half of the race. I was pretty happy to go through halfway in 2:10:36, as I thought that probably left me enough time to get in under 4:30, but I’m still working towards a 2:05 half marathon, as per my Lindsey Parry Comrades Bronze Medal Programme. I’ll get there.
I think the other major take-away was how I’m definitely getting more comfortable running on sore, tired legs. That really is something you’ve got to get your head round, as it’s counter-intuitive. Your body – and your mind – can’t understand why you’re putting yourself through this, but I guess that’s part of the challenge, and this Comrades journey is all about the challenge for me.
Anyway, the legs seem to have recovered well, and after a nice three days’ rest, I was back out on Thursday morning with an easy hour on the road, to be followed by 90 minutes on Saturday and two hours on Sunday. Onward and upward we go, with just less than eight weeks to Comrades!
