This year’s winner of the Sanet Wentzel Spirit Award at the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN was Jéan Payne, who is using running to cope with a heart-breaking loss. This is her story. – By Sean Falconer
Category: Features
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On Course for a PB in Paris
After a few delays to our racing plans caused by the COVID pandemic, I found myself running the Paris Marathon in October, chasing a sub-3:15 finish, but instead, I found myself pushing for a sub-3:00 for the first time, much to the surprise of my training partner! – by Wellington Mpofu
Still Cruising at 90
Her transition from concert pianist to ‘galloping granny’ at 78 has brought Deirdre Larkin several World Records, countless media interviews, and a roomful of medals, but she continues to run just for the sheer enjoyment of it. And the 90-year-old does it all with a wicked sense of humour, too
Glenrose Xaba, A Standout Performer at the SPAR Grandprix
The SPAR Grand Prix has injected life into the women’s elite racing scene in South Africa, with scintillating times being run throughout the series, and one of the South Africans to catch the eye was Glenrose Xaba, who eventually finished third in the 2021 Grand Prix standings. – By Sean Falconer
Tuck into good reads about Glenrose Xaba’s great SPAR results, Stef & Sabrina’s Oyster Catcher father-daughter adventure, the comeback story about Comrades Green Debbie Fass after her hip replacement, a welcome back for sprinter Carina Horn, Mindlo Mdhluli’s journey from learning to swim to ultra triathlete, and Sue Ullyett describes the hard times she went through in coming back from being seriously ill with COVID, PLUS all you need to know about the record-breaking adidas adizero shoe range.
The Long Road Back for Debbie Fass
Shortly after fulfilling her dream to earn her Comrades Green Number, Debbie Fass was given the devastating news that she needed a hip replacement, and she thought her running days were over. However, through determination and dedication, she has returned to the road. – By Roxanne Martin
Read the Magazine
Tuck into good reads about Glenrose Xaba’s great SPAR results, Stef & Sabrina’s Oyster Catcher father-daughter adventure, the comeback story about Comrades Green Debbie Fass after her hip replacement, a welcome back for sprinter Carina Horn, Mindlo Mdhluli’s journey from learning to swim to ultra triathlete, and Sue Ullyett describes the hard times she went through in coming back from being seriously ill with COVID, PLUS all you need to know about the record-breaking adidas adizero shoe range.
Making her Daughter Proud
No matter what life has thrown at Natascha van Zyl, she has found a way to keep going. In the last 13 years she has lost her mother, was diagnosed with cancer, got divorced, lost her father, lost her brother and then lost her young daughter as well, but she is still moving forward, still running, still climbing, because she made a promise that she would. – by Sean Falconer
No Holding Her Back
When Harriet Kruger was diagnosed with breast cancer, she decided to fight it with her running shoes firmly laced up, no matter how slowly she was moving. That saw her take on the recent Pondo Coaster Trail Run, and then she did something she wasn’t sure she was actually physically capable of, she ran the Comrades Marathon! This is her inspiring story. – by Sean Falconer
Running for Mental-Aweh-ness
Joburg runner Henry Cock is well on his way to running 133 half marathons on consecutive days in the Mentally Aweh Challenge. He will cover just over 2800km as he makes his way around the South African coastline, from Mozambique to Namibia, and he’s doing this not only to set a new Guinness World Record, but more importantly to raise funds for to promote mental health and ‘aweh-ness.’ – by Sean Falconer
Call of the mountains
In May, South African mountaineer Remy Kloos was seemingly within touching distance of the summit of Mount Everest, when she was forced to abandon.
Although greatly disappointed, she has moved the end date of her ultimate goal, and in the meantime will be using running and hiking to make sure she is ready to tackle the world’s highest mountains. – By Sean Falconer
Trail (mis) adventuring!
There’s no good time to experience a Trail MisAdventure (my speciality), but the one time you really do not want one is when you are running through a ‘Big 5’ nature reserve, and find yourself alone with a hungry lion, or being chased by an angry elephant! – By Carla Farina
