Category: Columns

Unbeaten on SA soil this year… Now that’s not a phrase you often hear in running circles, but it has become a common theme in one post-race media release after another as Irvette van Zyl continues to enjoy a stellar running year. This August will see her in action in the Olympic Marathon in Rio, and then she intends returning to SA to hopefully continue her winning streak. – BY SEAN FALCONER

She was selected as one of three members of the SA women’s marathon team, having posted the fastest qualifying time by a South African when she crossed the line in 2:32:20 at the London Marathon in April. She will be joined by Lebo Phalula and Christine Kalmer in the Olympic Marathon. Unsurprisingly, Irvette says she has greatly enjoyed her winning streak, but her main focus this year has definitely remained on Rio. “I’ve heard about this ‘unbeaten on SA soil’ thing, but there are still a lot of races to come after the Olympics, and that can change very quickly.” So far this has been quite some year for Irvette. She has posted wins in three Spar Women’s Challenge races in PE, Cape Town and Durban (and she leads the Spar Grand Prix points table), as well as the Totalsports Ladies Race in Durban, the Old Mutual Two Oceans Half Marathon and several other events. She also won the 5000m title at the SA Track and Field Champs in Stellenbosch, and the year is set to get even better this August as Irvette heads to Rio for the Olympic Games.

“The Rio marathon has always been my main goal for the year, but when I get back it will be back to the 10km Spar races in Joburg and Pretoria. If I manage to win both, then I will become the first athlete to win all five in the series in a single year. Rene Kalmer won four out of five in 2012 but then missed the last one due to injury, which I won. I’m almost at her mark now, but for now I’m not even thinking about those races, because Rio is the focus. I’ve just been getting the mileage in, because marathon training is a big increase, but the training has been going really well.”

Unfinished Business

When asked what her hopes are for Rio, Irvette gets a steely look in her eyes and says her first priority is going to be to finish the race, after she was forced to drop out of the 2012 Olympic Marathon in London due to an Achilles injury. “I took so much criticism after bailing in London, but I had aggravated my Achilles training on the gravel roads of the parks in London, and by the time I got to 17km the pain had become so bad that I just couldn’t carry on. It felt terrible to bail, but I learnt valuable lessons as well, which is why this year I asked if I can only travel to Rio five days before my race. In London we went too early, first for a training camp, then the Olympic Village, with new physios, different training surfaces, different food, and more. This time I want to keep things ‘normal’ for as long as possible before going across.”

In terms of strategy in Rio, Irvette says she will set out at 3 minutes 30 per kay to begin with and try to stay with the main race pace, then maybe after 10km drop to 3:35 and see if she can find a strong pack to run with and take it from there. “I would love to run a 2:30, because my ultimate goal is still to go under 2:30, but that is unlikely in Rio. I don’t think times will be the issue, it will be down to the heat and humidity. Rio is much hotter than Pretoria, so I have been training at midday and trying my best to get ready for the conditions, but I won’t know how well I can cope with it until I get there. That’s why I say a realistic target is to try finish in the top 20 – and anything better I will definitely take!

She adds that the three South African marathoners may each run their own race instead of trying to work as a team. “It’s probably our biggest problem on the world stage that we don’t work together like the Kenyans or other countries, but we don’t train together, so it would be a bit much to expect us to suddenly race together. Sure, we will discuss tactics, but I think we’re on different levels and run differently, so I think it unlikely we can race together. Obviously, we’ll also see how the race goes, and maybe during the race we can adapt our tactics, especially if we are running together.

Family Ties

Running has always been part of Irvette’s life. As a little girl she tried never to miss a race when her aunt and godmother, 1992 Comrades winner Francis van Blerk, was running, and Francis would often hang her new medals around little Irvette’s neck. That must have planted the seed, because when Irvette grew up all she wanted to be was a runner. At the age of nine she started running cross country, running 4km each day (2km morning and 2km evening) for training, all under the watchful eye of her mother, following in the car. She would even get her mom to drop her a few kays from home when driving home from extra maths lessons, so she would not miss a run!

At 13 she started training with a coach and at 14 she won her first SA Cross Country junior title, going on to represent SA at the World Cross Country Champs. Later, when she won the Joburg leg of the Spar series still as a junior, she confirmed her star potential, but a serious scooter accident in Grade 11 nearly ended her running career. “The doctors initially said I would probably never run again, and it took me a long time to recover, but I did come back.” she says proudly. However, then she found that varsity life was getting in the way of her running, until two years down the line she decided to stop her studies and focus on running. She was also now in a steady relationship with 400m hurdler LJ van Zyl, whom she married in 2012, after they both returned from the London Olympics, and they now have an 11-month old baby, Louis.

LJ and Irvette will both be going to Rio in August, which will make them only the third married couple ever to represent South Africa at the same Olympic Games, after Craig and Natalie Fulton (hockey, 2004) and Mike and Elvira Wood (fencing, 2008). “It’ll be the first time it happens in athletics and is very exciting,” says Irvette, “but we both learnt a lot in 2012. London was actually a bit of a disaster for us both, so this time we’re better prepared. It was my first Olympics and LJ’s second, so I overindulged in everything, from talking to everybody I could meet, to eating too much of the great food. I basically did everything wrong! And LJ felt like he needed to protect and guide me, even though I can look after myself. This time we’re going with a different outlook and will give each other more space, because running is an individual sport, and you need to focus on the job. We’re both so much more at ease for this year’s Olympics, because we’ve looked after our bodies, prepared well, and everything feels like it is coming right.

Another reason Irvette says they are both more relaxed is thanks to the birth of ‘Little Louis,’ as she says he keeps them both grounded and free of stress, but then she gets a longing look in her eyes as she says she is really going to miss him while she is in Rio. “Louis will stay with my sister in Naboomspruit and it will be tough, because it will be the first time I have been away from him for more than a week. LJ has away for longer periods while competing overseas, and now he’s telling me it is going to be tough. I’m the mother… I know! Worst is, we may even miss his first steps while we’re in Rio, so I’ve given my sister a speech about not missing getting it all on film!”

And after Rio…

Looking ahead, Irvette says that she will focus on the remainder of the Spar series when she returns from Rio, and then next year she wants to get back on to the track. “Seeing Dom Scott doing so well on track, clocking a sub-32 for 10,000m, has motivated me to try the track again. When I won the SA 5000m title earlier this year, I saw that I still have some speed in my legs, but my PBs on the track are not that good, so I want to get them down. And then I will have another crack at a fast marathon later in the year, and hopefully that will set me up for eventually qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Who knows, I may even make it to a fourth Olympics in 2024!

•   Born 5 July 1987 – now aged 29.

•   First major win came at the Zevenheuvelenloop 15km in the Netherlands in 2002, aged 15, during an overseas holiday.

•   Has won SA senior titles at 5000m and 10,000m on the track, as well as 10km and the half marathon on the road.

•   Also won junior national titles on track and in cross country.

•   Has a marathon PB of 2:31:26, run in the 2013 London Marathon.

•   Has represented SA at the World Cross Country Champs, the World Half Marathon Champs and the Olympic Games

Most runners have experienced a side stitch somewhere along the way, but not all of them know how to simply and easily cure the problem. Instead you’ll see athletes trying to push their hands under their rib cage to alleviate the pain while still running at full speed! Here’s what you need to know so you can keep going next time you get stitched up. – BY SEAN FALCONER

The stitch is just one those things that most runners experience sooner or later, an aching or sharp pain just below your ribs, usually just on one side, and sometimes accompanied by pain in the shoulder. There are various theories as to the causes of the stitch, one of which is thought to be irritation of the ligaments and the membranes that hold and connect the various muscles, bones and organs of the lower abdomen.

Basically, the impact of running pulls the organs downwards, tugging on the ligaments in the upper abdomen and creating irritation. This would explain why consuming a big meal soon before running can bring on a stitch. However, swimmers also often complain about side stitches, so vertical tugging due to impact can’t fully explain the stitch.

Another theory is that a stitch is cramping of the diaphragm, the muscle that expands your lungs and allows you to breathe, which becomes over-exerted by heavy breathing and cramps during high-intensity activity like running.

Furthermore, another theory holds that this cramping can be made worse by consuming certain foods or fluids, notably concentrated sugary drinks, which causes more bloodflow to the stomach to help with digestion, thus decreasing bloodflow to the diaphragm and speeding up the cramping. However, horse-riders are another group who often complain of side stitches, and while they are subjected to high impact, their activity is usually low-intensity in terms of breathing.

Still another theory is that stitches are causes by irritation of the spinal column, thanks to studies that showed that the pain from a side stitch could be reproduced by applying manual pressure to the vertebrae along the upper spine.

The researchers believe that this may also explain why some stitches are accompanied by pain at the tip of the shoulder, as nerves running to both the diaphragm and the shoulder are connected to the same vertebrae. That, in turn, may explain why runners and horse riders (high impact on spine) and swimmers (repeated rotation of the spine) all experience high rates of stitches, but cyclists do not.

SELF-REMEDY FOR THE STITCH

As you can see, there are several possible factors causing your side stitch, and similarly, there are several things you can try to alleviate or prevent the pain:

•   Breathe easy: Make sure your breathing is regular on a high-intensity run. If you’re pushing yourself too hard, your breathing will automatically become shallow, which puts extra pressure on the diaphragm, shutting off bloodflow and creating that ‘pinch’ under your ribcage. If you get a side stitch often, practise belly-breathing on the run, which will lower and relax your diaphragm.

•   Stretch it out: Extend your right arm upwards and hold for a few seconds. As with any other cramp, gently stretching the muscle and massaging the pain will increase bloodflow, alleviating the contraction.

•   Stop your run: Runners are stubborn and try to “run through it,” but it’s important to take any pain as a warning. If the pain subsides, then you can carry on at a slower pace before hopefully speeding up again.

•   Work on your speed and strength: Concentrating on abdominal and lower back strengthening exercises can also help you out with stitches. The tighter the muscles are in your core, the less movement of the organs and lining, or pressure on your spine. And training to go fast will allow you to go fast in races without getting a stitch.

•   Eat and drink carefully: Stay hydrated throughout your run, because less water means less oxygen and less bloodflow to your muscles, but avoid heavy meals three hours before your run, as a full stomach will place added pressure on your diaphragm.

The good news is that most times a stitch quickly goes away as soon as you slow down or stop running, so it is a relatively easy pain to cure.

South African athlete Akani Simbine has set a South African record in the 100m sprint at the Gyulai Istvan Memorial in Budapest, Hungary. Akani clocked 9.89 seconds, beating Jamaica’s Asafa Powell by 0.03 seconds. In March this year, Akani achieved a record breaking performance when he won in 9.96 seconds at the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Night Series Meeting in Pilditch, Pretoria. Akani’s time was 0.01 seconds faster than the South African record of 9.97 seconds.

According to IOL, Akani’s time is the fifth fastest time in the world this year, with American athlete Justin Gatlin heading the list with a blistering fast 9.80 seconds that he produced at the USA Olympic Trials early in July. Akani has been threatening to run really quick times all year long, but a hamstring injury at the South African Championships slowed his progress.

Former South African record holder Henricho Bruintjies clocked the same time of 9.89 seconds in Italy on Sunday, 29 May 2016, but it did not count as the wind reading was well beyond the legal limit of +2.0m/s. The “Blitz from Klapmuts” made his return to the track on Sunday, 17 July 2016 after a hamstring injury and finished fifth in a time of 10.37 seconds.

For Akani, the 9.89 second run will be the new standard as the wind was +1.9m/s, which is just inside the legal limit. Akani made a big statement in the build up to the upcoming Olympic Games as he beat a world class field that included athletes such as Asafa Powell and American speedster Michael Rodgers. Asafa Powell finished in second, with Michael Rodgers finishing third.

Just to prove that his 100m time was no fluke, Akani followed his time up with a new personal best in the 200m of 20.16 seconds, beating his previous time of 20.23 seconds. This is a strong message from Akani to the Athletics South Africa (ASA) selectors. Akani was only chosen for the 100m for the Rio Olympics, despite having the quickest time this year of 20.29 in the longer sprint.

World Championship bronze medallist Anaso Jobodwana and teenagers Clarence Munyai and Gift Leotlela were chosen in the 200m group ahead of Akani. With performances like this becoming the norm, we are sure Akani will fly the South African flag high at the upcoming Rio Olympic Games.

He may still have been able to fly under the proverbial radar before the 2016 Comrades Marathon, but newly crowned Comrades champion and Down Run record holder David Gatebe’s life will never be the same after his scintillating win in Durban at the end of May. – BY SEAN FALCONER

When the top contenders for the 2016 Comrades Marathon were introduced to the media at the pre-race athletes’ press conference, David Gatebe joined his TomTom Athletic Club mates and coach John Hamlett on the stage, but he was not asked any questions by the media. That’s partly because 2015 champion Gift Kelehe was next to him and fielded most of the questions, and partly because David simply was not rated as one of the top contenders for the win, given that he ‘only’ finished 24^th, 32^nd and 21^st in the three previous editions of the race.

Granted, he was still recognised by the journalists, thanks to having won the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon in 2013, as well as having won the SA Marathon title in 2008 and the City to City Ultra in Gauteng, but his Comrades record didn’t hold up to that of several other runners at the press conference, and he thus flew under the radar – which probably suited the quietly spoken, somewhat shy athlete from Rustenburg.

Well, all that has changed now, thanks to his blisteringly fast run in the 2016 Comrades. Not only did he surprise the pundits by coming through for the win, improving his best Down Run time from 6:05:12 (32^nd in 2014) to 5:18:19, but he also smashed the 5:20:41 Down Run record held by Leonid Shvetsov since 2007! That meant he earned himself the biggest ever prize purse in SA athletic history – R400,000 for first place, R400,000 incentive for breaking the record, R190,000 for being first South African, a bonus R100,000 from the Ministry of Sport, and a hot spot prize of R20,000, for a total of R1.11 million. He also made sure that he will never be overlooked again at an athletes’ press conference in South Africa!

Dashed Hopes

David (35) hails from Maokeng township in Kroonstad, in the Free State, the third of five siblings, and he came to Rustenburg after completing school in 2004 to look for work. “I did not have money to pay for studies, so I decided to go to Rustenburg looking for a job, and I ended up working at a filling station as a pump attendant,” he says, adding that he found solace in his running to offset his disappointment, taking up marathons and ultras in 2005, leading to his SA national title in 2008.

David believes that his fortune started improving in 2012, when he met sports manager Blackie Swart, who worked at Impala Platinum Mines (Implats) in Rustenburg. He had just won a local 10km race in Rustenburg, breaking the course record, and Blackie was impressed: “We chatted and, after a while we agreed that I would organise for him to come and work with me, so I could train him and expose him to what he loved to do most, athletics. That is how he joined Implats as a sports clerk. He never looked back, training hard every day, and went on to win the Two Oceans Marathon in 2013, and then ran the Comrades that same year. He was only beginning, and I think he always knew what he was working towards – winning the Comrades.”

While he appreciates his mentor’s words, David says his early attempts at Comrades showed that he was not yet quite ready for the 90km ultra.”My first Comrades was in 2013, after winning Two Oceans, and I was trying to win both in the same year, but I realised that winning Comrades is something that takes serious work. I improved a bit the next two years, but I knew I still needed to do more work. The Comrades is a different race to the Two Oceans. It is a long race!” he chuckles.

That saw him join the newly formed TomTom Athletics Club and head to Dullstroom in Mpumalanga for two months of altitude training with Gift and the rest of the squad. The training went very well, and David says he came back from the mountains knowing he was in peak shape. “I was fit for the race and knew that I could win it. I could not wait any longer; I was well prepared mentally and physically. I even told my teammates that I was going for the record, that I wanted to finish the race in five hours 19, while the record was five hours 20,” he says.

Target Achieved!

And so race day arrived, the so-called ‘TV runners’ dominated the early stages before eventually dropping off the pace, and then the serious contenders came through, with David amongst the leaders. Coming through Kloof, David took the lead with the clock showing 3:47, flew down Fields Hill, stretched his lead still further going up Cowies Hill, and it was then that his thoughts really became focused on the record. “When I smelt the sea with 10km to go and I saw the time, I knew nobody would catch me. Then my coach yelled at me that I could beat the Russian’s record and that seemed a good thing to do.”

He crossed the line in 5:18:19, still looking strong, then dropped to the ground to pump out six push-ups. “I wanted to show that I could still go for another 5km or 10km. I was probably overly prepared for the race, and after achieving my goal of winning it, I felt an overwhelming energy rush at the finish line. And now the record is back in South Africa. I am very, very happy,” he says.

Return to Normal Life

With just over a million in cash coming his way soon – once doping control tests have been completed and the race results are officially accepted – David could be forgiven for saying that it’s time to enjoy life a bit, but the humble champion remains as focused as ever on his running, and is already talking about next year’s racing. “I am looking forward to next year’s Comrades, which is an Up Run, my favourite. My aim is to take the bar even higher in terms of my record,” he says.

When not working or running, David relaxes at home with his wife and two young daughters, and he attributes much of his success to their support. “My wife understands that everything about me revolves around athletics, but that’s not the be-all and end-all of what I do. At some point, my family does take charge, but one of the reasons why I love running is because they encourage me and they’re my biggest supporters. With this win, I know they are proud of me, and they’ve encouraged me not to change my lifestyle, but to keep running.”

As for the money, David says he is not going to be spending it when it arrives, but rather safekeeping it for his children’s education. “I struggled when I grew up in Kroonstad and I never had the chance of following my passion for management and advertising, so I’m going to invest in the education for my two little ones, because I don’t want them to go through what I went through. I want to ensure that my children get a better future with the best education that I never got,” he says, adding that he also has no intention of leaving Implats. “If there’s one thing I’m not going to do, that’s to quit my job. It’s very important to me.”

Doubling Up at the Ultras

Thanks to his win in the 2016 Comrades Marathon, David Gatebe now joins a very select group of athletes who have won both premier ultra-marathons in South Africa, the Comrades and the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon. More women have managed the feat over the years, but amongst the men it is a rare achievement! (To date, only four of these athletes have won both races in the same year.)

According to well known athletics statistician, David’s win also gives him another record: “Gatebe now has the unique distinction of being the only male runner who has won the SA marathon title, the Two Oceans and the Comrades. The only other athlete who has managed this feat is Frith van der Merwe, who won all three races in a single year in 1989.”

The KPMG running club has had much to celebrate in recent weeks, including the news of Christine Kalmer being selected for the Olympics and Kerry-Ann Marshall winning her first gold medal at the Comrades Marathon.

Christine to Fly the SA Flag

On 25 May, SA’s Olympic governing body, SASCOC, announced the first names of Team South Africa for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, and the Champagne corks popped as Team KPMG heard the news we had been waiting for, that our very own Christine Kalmer was selected as one of three to represent South Africa in the Women’s Marathon!

We asked Christine how she felt about being selected and even a few weeks later she was still trying to take it all in. “I don't think the fact that I have made the Olympic team has completely sunk in yet. After the 1992 Olympic Games, where Elana Meyer won the silver medal in the 10,000m, I knew that was something I would like to be part of. I was six years old at the time, and I have been dreaming about it for 24 years now, so having that dream become a reality is quite surreal.”

Understandably, training for the Olympics has been Christine’s focus since she qualified late last year in Valencia with a time of 2:33:43. “I am building up to the Olympics, and most important is to build my base right so I will peak on race day,” she says. She adds that training through the cold winter months in Johannesburg is a challenge, but she still won’t turn to the treadmill. “It’s too boring, you count every passing second, and have to look out in front of you all the time to make sure you don’t fall off! My sister Rene and I still get up at 5am to go out for our runs, and with the right gear the cold doesn’t really bother us… but it does make it more difficult to get out of bed!”

Travelling to the Olympics in a far-off country will mean leaving most of her support base back at home, but Christine will have her family with her in Rio, so she is far more relaxed about the trip. “I am very fortunate to have my support crew going with me, as Rene, my parents and my fiancé Aiden are all planning to make the trip to Rio as well. So I can’t wait for the Games in August!”

Kerry Reaching for the Stars

It seems that Kerry-Ann Marshall was running even before she started walking. “My mum used to say that I could run before I could crawl,” says Kerry, who grew up with running in her blood as the whole family went along with mom to all the races to second her dad. Her own athletic journey started early and at the age of seven she ran her first 8km race.

Her family’s love affair with running also led to Kerry’s passion for the Comrades Marathon. “As a little girl I would wake up early to watch the Comrades start, and I would be glued to the TV until the final gun. I remember seeing the top runners receive a rose as they entered the stadium, and since then I have dreamed of one day receiving a Comrades Rose, too,” she says. Well, this year her dream came true as she was presented with a rose as she took sixth position in the women’s race, having earned two silvers in 2014 and 2015.

Kerry says her love for running goes to the depths of who she is as a person. “Through running I feel like I have gained a richer understanding of life and who I am as a person. Running is my happy place, where I feel complete and where I can just be. I feel running and doing ultra’s like Comrades can translate into our lives as we overcome everyday challenges and realise that with the right mindset and commitment, anything is possible. In a race, negative thoughts rarely cross my mind – I like to leave all my doubts at the start line. However, if things start to go awry, rather than dwell on the problems, I usually adjust my expectations and focus on positive thoughts. I try to draw energy from the supporters, or chat to other runners and think about the hard work that got me to the start line in the first place.”

“I feel really fortunate to have been given the opportunity to live my dream, and I am blessed to have so many amazing people involved in the background, like coaches, physios, my husband, my family, training partners, KPMG, Salomon and friends. Without their love, support and guidance, I would never have gotten to this point.”

Modern Athlete is saddened by the news of the passing away of veteran Kenyan sports journalist, Mark Ouma on Sunday 10 July at the King Edward VIII Hospital in Durban after a short illness.

Mark was known throughout Africa for his work as the Sports Editor of Voice of America’s Day Break Africa News, and in particular for his extensive coverage of athletics and road running on the continent, including much time spent in South Africa. He was 56 years old.

Mark started his career as a lecture in philosophy at Makerere University and then Egerton University, both in Kenya, before pursuing his passion as an international journalist at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), later moving to Voice of America (VOA).

He was in Durban to cover the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Senior African Championships, but could only attend the first day of competition on 23 June before being taken ill and admitted to hospital.

Modern AthleteEditor Sean Falconer remembers meeting Mark for the first time in 2000 at the Old Mutual Om Die Dam ultra-marathon.

“I was new to the athletic journalism field, but Mark immediately made me feel welcome and was happy to discuss events, story leads and the like. He was often running a bit late and seemed a bit disorganised at times, but everybody forgave him that because of his incredible passion for the sport and energy in doing his job.”

Athletics South Africa President Aleck Skhosana, described Mark’s passing as tragic. “We are shattered. After our initial visits to check on him at hospital, we had been confident that he will pull through after he had been his bubbly self since he was admitted on Friday 24 June for tests.

Mark will always be remembered as an advocate of African athletics and a professional in his work. I met Mark all over the world doing what he loved best, promoting African athletics. We have lost a brother. Our deepest condolences go to his family, colleagues and his friends. May his soul rest in peace.”

A statement from the Ouma family in Kenya said, “While we mourn the death of an eloquent speaker with a strong character, we also celebrate his remarkable life as an ardent sports enthusiast with a decisive sense of fair play. This he brought into his diligent reporting and coverage of sporting events the world over.

For those who may ask what they can do to honour and put an eternal smile on Marks’ face, we have a simple request, that as you continue to savour the numerous moments of sporting joy, exercise discipline in sports and ensure a sense of fair play – always.”

Kenyan race walker Samuel “Speedy” Gathimba caught everyone off guard this past weekend when he won the 20km race walk at the African Championships in Durban. Samuel conquered the course in an impressive time of 1:19:24.

Samuel was followed by Tunisian race walker Hassanine Sebei. Hassanine was closely followed by South African record holder Lebogang Shange and his fellow countryman Wayne Snyman. Samuel’s performance was world class and his winning time is the 8^th fastest time of the season.

If Samuel had walked a time of 1:19:24 at the World Championships in Beijing last year, he would have won the silver medal. The two South African walkers described Samuel’s performance as outstanding.

“As a race walker, you are lucky if you are able to perform like this once a year.” said Wayne, who is sponsored by HPC.

According to Lebogang, he did not think Samuel would be able to keep up such a fast pace. However, when Samuel completed his first kilometre in 3 minutes and 15 seconds and continued walking at the same speed over the second kilometre, Lebogang soon realized that it would be a mistake to try to keep up with him.

Lebogang settled down and walked at a pace with which he was more comfortable.

“Hats off to Samuel. He fully deserved to win,” Lebogang said after the race.

Though some think he is not exactly ‘built for running,’ former Springbok prop forward Eddie Andrews is loving his running and starting to build a collection of race medals. – BY SEAN FALCONER

The first time Eddie ran 21km, at the Mitchells Plain Titans Half in November 2014, he says his legs did not take too well to the experience. “I had started running with my friend Ruan Beneke, who has done Comrades and Ironman, and I thought he was going to run with me, but at the start he said see you later and ran a sub-two hour… I had done some 8km training runs, but I went into it a bit Kamikaze, and it took me three hours and six minutes to finish. I felt OK, but when I got back to my car, I had to sit there for half an hour before I could drive, because my legs were cramping so badly!”

A few more races followed in 2015, and this year he has already done five half marathons, but Eddie says he still gets a few surprised looks when people hear that he has taken up running – probably because rugby props are not traditionally known for their love of running. “I have actually always enjoyed running. I often used to park my car 5km from the rugby training ground and run there, then run back afterwards, and I enjoyed the 5km time trial fitness tests. My intention was always to be the fittest, most mobile prop in the team, because I weighed a bit less than the other props. I wanted to make it difficult for the coaches not to select me.”

Late Starter

Eddie came into rugby relatively late in life – he only played two games while in high school at Steenberg in Cape Town, as he was actually a junior provincial level hockey player, but when he put on weight after matriculating in 1995, he decided to take up club rugby to get back in shape. “I actually played lock back then, but soon moved to prop, and in 1998 I was selected for the Western Province Disas team, then the under-21s, and in 2000 I played my first official games for Province in the Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup.”

At that time the Stormers had a number of Springbok props in their squad, so Eddie remained a fringe player in Super Rugby until 2003, when several of those props retired or moved abroad or up-country. “When Gert Smal announced that I would start the first game against the Queensland Reds, I didn’t know what was happening, after having all those Springboks ahead of me. Then in 2004 we had that amazing year, reaching the Super Rugby semi-final, and the media gave me the nickname ‘Steady Eddie’ and spoke about me possibly making the Springbok team. Still, I was shocked when I saw my selection announced on TV!”

Eddie made his Bok debut against Ireland in June 2004, helped the team win the TriNations Series that year, and had earned 23 Test Caps by 2007 when a recurring back injury brought his playing days to an end, just before the World Cup. “I was injured when they announced the World Cup squad, but then BJ Botha got injured and they called to ask if I was ready to play yet. I had to say no, and watching the Boks win that final was incredibly difficult, but injury is part of the game. I am still incredibly thankful for the opportunity I got to play at that level, and for the faith the various coaches placed in me, because I didn’t come through the traditional rugby ranks, and always felt I had to do a little more to prove my worth.”

Community Leader

Now 39, Eddie has been married to Jackie for 17 years and they have three kids, daughters Erin (13) and Jessie (8), and son Joel (11). After retiring from rugby, he founded the non-profit Joshua Foundation with Stormers team mate Tonderai Chavhanga, to use rugby to motivate kids in Mitchells Plain and Khayalitsha, and while applying for funding with the City of Cape Town in 2011, he was asked by DA Councillor Gavin Pascoe if he would be interested in politics. “My first thought was what does a rugby player know about politics, but after talking to my wife and my pastor, I decided to stand and was elected as a Ward Councillor. I’ve got a good relationship with my community, and am enjoying the work.”

He is also currently studying part-time at UWC for a B.Admin degree, and in between family commitments, council work and studies, Eddie says the running keeps him fit and healthy, and he has set himself a target of one half marathon per month. “I would like to do a marathon some day, but for now 21 kays is enough. The good news is that my eldest daughter is now getting into running as well, and she has influence over the others… They don’t know it yet, but one day they’re all going to run with me!”

Modern Athlete was recently given a once in a lifetime opportunity to go cover the Royal Raid Trail Run, organised by LUX* Sports in Mauritius! Courtesy of the LUX* Resorts and Hotels, we were treated to a five-star experience, staying at the LUX* Le Morne. Roxanne Martin was our reporter on the ground and brings the experience back to a somewhat colder South Africa!

Boarding the Air Mauritius Flight, you are given a small taste of the paradise that awaits you… images of white sand beaches with red umbrellas fill the screens of the planes, and a tropical blue seat puts you in the mood for that first cocktail. The flight is a mere four hours, and you have great in-flight food and entertainment to keep you busy while you while the minutes away.

Upon arrival we were greeted with cool towels to wipe away the sweat and grime that comes with travel. Cool and refreshed, we climbed into our transfer vehicle for the hour and a half drive to our hotel. Driving in the dark of night, we weren’t afforded the luxury of taking in the scenery, but we were still struck by the architecture: Flat roofs, with houses all on top of one another, clearly space in Mauritius is used where space is found! That being said, it was incredibly clean, no litter in the streets, and even at 10 at night, many people were still out and about.

Driving into the hotel you knew you were in for something special. Greeted again with a cool towel and a refreshing orange mist spray was just the beginning. Walking up the stairs to reception, you were greeted with a magical view of a beautiful pool surrounded by lights, whereas the seas was not in view due to it being dark, but having the gentle sound of waves in the background filled you with excitement for the next day.

A Piece of Paradise

The rooms were spectacular, set to the perfect temperature so you walked in and felt refreshed. Even in winter the average temperature per day on the island is a balmy 28 degrees! A king-sized bed is standard, big screen TV, plus an iPad, and when you walk into the bathroom you are greeted with a massive tub, shower and walk-in closet. Every need or desire is catered for, and there are special little ‘Lux’ touches as well, like the toiletries in the room coming from their spa boutique, all specially designed for the hotel. The body wash even has a touch of citronella in to keep away those pesky mosquitoes!

Waking up the next morning feeling refreshed and invigorated, opening the curtains revealed what can only be described as paradise! Palm trees filled with coconuts, a pool that belonged in a fairy tale, and a beach that begged for a cocktail in one hand and a book in another. Meals at the hotel were all about variety, a themed buffet meant you were spoilt for choice, making every meal an adventure of culinary delights with world cuisines – no calorie-counting allowed, you ate to worry about it later.

Water activities like snorkelling, water-skiing, windsurfing and paddle boats are included, so all guests have the opportunity to experience the tropical landscape from the water. There is also scuba diving and kite surfing, so you are able to work off those calories if you need to. The beaches are filled with reclining cushioned deckchairs, so you can lie back and work on your tan while being served cocktails and snacks throughout the day. With two pools, you are spoilt for choice, although the one has an ice-cream bar, making it the more attractive option!

Time to Run

Having had a rested and relaxed day, our legs were ready for the 15km trail run that awaited us the next day. The Royal Raid has thee distances, the 15km being the shortest, along with a 35km and an 80km for the brave. Not being an experienced runner, the 15km seemed the safer option for me. Our transfer arrived at 4:30am to take us to the start of the 80km at Casela Bird Park, where a field of 127 runners waited nervously as music and dancers performed. Starting in the dark, all the runners sported headlamps as they did final preparation for the tough course with over 2000m of climbing. At 6am they were off, starting what would be for many a 12-hour journey, whereas for some that I deem incredibly brave, 17 hours awaited as they navigated the tough route!

Thankfully for us, the lighter 15km option awaited, but don’t think this was the easy way out. The course still had many a challenging aspect, with steep climbing and muddy, rocky descents. My first introduction to ‘real’ trail running, it was an experience that showed me some of the best sites that Mauritius has to offer. Lush green landscapes with the sea as backdrop waited after every climb. You simply had to stop and take a minute to just breathe it in. Running through forests, you were transported to a place time has seemingly forgotten. It was a fantastic run, and all trail runners should attempt this race if given the opportunity. I know that given half the chance, I will be on that start line again next year!

Recovery the following day was just what the doctor ordered: From beach time with ice cream and cocktails, to a spa treatment and a massage for the weary legs. Ending the day with the magnificent sunset, a beer in hand, and the smooth gentle sounds of the saxophone in the background, you knew paradise had found you, and you never wanted to leave.

If you too want to have a tropical experience on the island of Mauritius, you can, thanks to Go Sports Travel in partnership with Air Mauritius and LUX* Resorts & Hotels. We are giving you the chance to win an all-expenses paid trip to Mauritius to take part in the LUX* Mauritius Marathon! This is the perfect opportunity to escape the Winter Chill and head off for warmer weather, and maybe a cocktail or two.

Valued at over R30 000 the prize includes:

• Return flights on Air Mauritius
• 5-night stay for two people sharing at the LUX*Tamassa Bel Ombre Hotel
• Entry for two people for the LUX* Mauritius Marathon
• Two TomTom Runner 2 watches

How to Enter:

Click on the link below, fill out your details and hit Enter – it’s that easy!

To increase your chances of winning, sign up for a free digital subscription for Modern Athlete Magazine and gain an extra entry into the competition! You can add another entry to your basket by signing up for a free digital subscription to Modern Cyclist Magazine.

But wait, there’s more… Refer friends using our 'Refer a Friend' form, and if they enter the competition as well, you will gain more entries into the competition! There is no limit on how many friends you can refer, so run with it!

Closing Date for Entries is 24 June 2016 so enter now! T's and C's apply.