Having undergone a life-changing liver transplant in 2022, Joburg-based Coreen Walstra has used running as part of her recovery process, building up to her marathon debut at the recent Sanlam Cape Town Marathon. She crossed the finish line in five hours and 46 minutes, and is now fired up to continue her running journey to next year’s Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra. This is her inspirational story.
Under Armour was founded on building a better t-shirt: a light, tight layer you could wear under your uniform to wick sweat, dry quick, and sit snug against your body—and it’s changed the way athletes dress for over 25 years.
Pricing:
Glenrose Xaba and Luan Munnik stole the show at the inaugural Boxer Super Run Tshwane, held on Sunday, 10 November 2024, at TUKS (Uitspan). They clinched gold in the Elite Women’s and Elite Men’s races with remarkable times of 15:42 and 13:50, respectively.
Coming off a historic victory and a national record at the Cape Town Marathon, Glenrose Xaba had one more goal before taking a well-earned break: proudly representing her club, Boxer Athletics Club (AC), at the Boxer Super Run in Tshwane.
“The first 2-3 km felt smooth, but I could still feel the marathon in my legs during those last 2 km,” Xaba shared with a beaming smile. “I kept pushing, reminding myself that I needed to perform for my club. My strategy was to break away early because, after a marathon, I knew slowing down would allow others to catch up. Starting strong and holding my pace was my best bet. I’m so grateful for this year. Thanks to God, my coaches Caster and Ledile Violet Semenya, Rhyn Swanepoel from Boxer AC, and my teammates like Karabo More, who pushes me with her speed. Special thanks to my grandmother, my mom, and Lebogang Phalula for always supporting me.”
Reflecting on the event, Xaba added, “The Boxer Super Run is a fantastic platform for young runners. It encourages them to start with shorter distances before jumping into 10km or half marathons. I only moved up to the 10km races after becoming a senior, so I appreciate that Boxer is creating opportunities for athletes to develop their strength at a comfortable pace. Winning the first race in Durban last year and now here in Tshwane feels incredibly special, and I’m truly grateful.”
Boxer AC athletes rounded out the podium, with Karabo More taking 2nd and Cacisile Sosibo in 3rd.
Legendary middle-distance runner and respected coach Caster Semenya made her Boxer Super Run debut with an impressive 7th place finish in 17:58.
“It was a tough but beautiful race,” Semenya said. “I love challenging myself, even if I’m semi-retired as an athlete. It’s exciting to see that I can still finish in the top 10. Running alongside my athletes and watching them thrive is deeply fulfilling. The energy of the Boxer Super Run is fantastic. Seeing so many people participating is a joy—it keeps young people off the streets and encourages them to focus on something positive.”
On the men’s side, Luan Munnik celebrated his first major road victory with a standout performance.
“The Boxer Super Run is an amazing challenge,” Munnik remarked. “For track athletes like me, it’s a great test of endurance, and for road runners, it’s a speed battle. The event has the perfect blend of competition, support, and excitement. I went out hard to establish some dominance early on. About 1km in, Maxime Chaumeton broke away, with Elroy (Gelant) chasing. I decided to respond, and it turned into a back-and-forth between Elroy and me. With 800m left, I made my final surge, and it worked. Big congratulations to Elroy for securing another medal at a Boxer event—he’s an exceptional athlete. Winning today feels amazing; it’s my first big win on the road.”
Boxer AC’s Elroy Gelant finished in 2nd, with Chris Mhlanga securing 3rd place.
“Congratulations to Glenrose Xaba and Luan Munnik for becoming the first champions of the Boxer Super Run Tshwane! You both set a high standard for this event,” said Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports. “The support from our sponsors, participants, and spectators truly made this event unforgettable. Hosting a top-tier 5km race in Tshwane is an exciting milestone, and we’re thrilled to bring such quality racing to this community.”
Lee-Ann Pillay, Head of Marketing at Boxer Superstores, added, “We were blown away by the incredible performances. The atmosphere was absolutely electric. A big congratulations to our winners, Glenrose and Luan, who made this debut event unforgettable. A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved, from participants to passionate fans. This event has set the bar high, and we can’t wait to build on its success.”
Event Information:
2024 Boxer Super Run Tshwane
The 5km distance continues to grow in popularity worldwide, and the Boxer Super Run Tshwane lived up to the hype, attracting a mix of seasoned athletes and enthusiastic newcomers. This event truly had something for everyone, giving Tshwane a firsthand experience of a world-class 5km road race.
Exciting News: Discovery Vitality members earned Vitality points after completing the Boxer Super Run in Tshwane.
Impressive Prize Purse: The 2024 Boxer Super Run in Tshwane featured an impressive prize purse of R147,200.00, available to both the Elite Race and Open Wave participants. In the Elite Race, prize money was awarded to the top 8 male and female finishers, with the winners each receiving a well-earned R20,000. Additionally, in the Open Wave, the top 3 male and female finishers across various categories—Junior, Open, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70+—were also recognized and rewarded for their efforts.
The Dis-Chem Half Marathon Relaunches as The Biogen Half Marathon presented by Momentum Multiply for 2025.
After 22 years, Dis-Chem is proud to announce that its leading sports and wellness brand, Biogen has been appointed as title sponsor in 2025 for the Half Marathon and 5km Dash, with presenting sponsor Momentum Multiply joining for their second year running.
The 23rd edition is proudly hosted by Bedfordview Country Club Athletics and will take place on 12 January 2025. Runners can look forward to the same high-quality event, with exceptional value, with a challenging route winding its way through the hills of Bedfordview, Morninghill and Primrose. The route offers spectacular views and will offer the perfect
kickstart to the running calendar in the New Year.
‘We are extremely proud of our 22-year sponsorship of the event’ said Rui Morais – CEO Dis-Chem Pharmacies. ‘The promotion of a healthy lifestyle, and our emphasis on overall well-being has always been an anchor to the Dis-Chem brand, and this focus, supported by an ongoing investment in sport, simply echoes the brand promise that ‘Better Health
Starts Here’. The long-standing relationship with Bedfordview Country Club Athletics has served us well, and we have no doubt the team will deliver another first-class event, now with our premium brand Biogen at the forefront.’
Charnia Yapp, Race Director, said, ‘Bedfordview Country Club Athletics looks forward to hosting the 23rd race with a new title sponsor still within the Dis-Chem Group. We are delighted to continue the journey with Biogen, Momentum Multiply, Dis-Chem and all the co-sponsors who make races like ours possible for novice and seasoned runners to enjoy. The
sponsors bring incredible value to the runners.’
Presenting sponsors Momentum Multiply offer a world-class wellness rewards programme that rewards members from day one for looking after their mental and physical wellbeing.
‘You earn rewards from day one for making healthy choices and for every step you take to improve your overall health. We’re excited to partner with the Biogen Half Marathon and 5km Dash because it aligns with getting our members to make healthier choices and stay active,’ said Márcia Eugénio – Head of Multiply that is part of Momentum Health
Solutions.
Momentum Health Solutions is also avid supporters of multiple disciplines of sports across South Africa, with sound investment in cricket, cycling and running to name a few.
Biogen Brand Manager, Brandon Fairweather shares the sentiment. ‘Biogen have worked with Momentum Health Solutions on multiple, national events and it’s a seamless, natural fit with both brands being focused on the enhancement of health and fitness.’ He added: ‘We’re excited for this opportunity and grateful that Dis-Chem have entrusted us with their flagship event, and we look forward to building on what is already known to be a world class run.’
The Half Marathon will have a seeded start and will be timed as per normal. The race starts in Riley Road in Bedfordview at 06:00am on Sunday and the 5km Dash will also be timed, starting 30 mins later at 06:30am on the same day.
The race is known to sell out within a couple of weeks of entries opening. There are 6000 entries available for the 21km race and all entrants will receive a technical race T-shirt and goodie bag. Entries are open online www.biogen21.co.za and close on 15 December or once the 6000 available entries are sold. The 5km Fun Run will be back and there are 1000 entries available.
Funds will also be raised for the two race charities: Lambano Sanctuary and the Namaqua Dog and Donkey Foundation, which undertakes the sterilisation, vaccination and treatment of animals in informal settlements on the East Rand. All donations by runners, over and above their entry fee, will be matched by the Dis-Chem Foundation.
ENTRIES OPEN ARE OPEN!
Try this tasty, healthy and energising breakfast recipe for flapjacks that will power your running. – By Ann Ashworth
With the help of a South African trail running legend, Remaketse Lekaka is dreaming of dominating the SA trail running circuit and becoming a world class athlete. – By Tathe Msimango
Run Crew Friday’s next club feature is ‘Run Boss Run Crew’. We spoke to Craig Woods, a co-founder of Run Boss and he gave us the details of how it all started.
What Inspired You to Start Run Boss?
My best mate Michael Baker and I were standing around a braai and our wives were moaning about not having safe places to run in groups. It was November 2022 and we decided to just stop talking and start doing. So we started with a small group of friends running on the durban prom on a Saturday with boys and girls where everyone felt safe in numbers and it slowly grew from there. We both have a passion for people, teamwork and community and we loved the idea of people working hard towards a goal and actually achieving it. In the beginning we used to challenge people a lot more to push themselves but obviously over the years, whilst a small part of that culture still exists, it’s also got a huge focus on just giving our Durban community a place to feel like they belong and be healthy and happy at the same time.
Why Do You Keep Running It?
Michael took a job in Cape Town in December and I think it made me really think about this questionI decided that we had built an incredible thing and I didn’t want to let it go so got proper stuck in and worked hard at keeping it fun, relevant and something that the community could all be proud of and feel like it belonged to them.
I do it mainly because I love the people and I love the idea of people changing the way they live. Our lives are so full of phones and tech chaos so the concept of waking up early and being healthy is a huge plus , but more importantly giving people and especially youngsters, the chance to connect with people and build real relationships and friendships over coffee after is the main thing. I honestly love the idea that we are helping people and giving them something that perhaps didn’t exist before.
How Do We Do It?
We run every Tuesday Thursday and Saturday morning at 5.15am.
What started out in November 2022 with 10 friends on the beach has now morphed into in excess of 150 people on Tuesday mornings and sometimes more on a weekend. We have almost 1000 people on the what’s app group where we announce runs the day before and use polls for people to register interest. We also have a large Instagram presence with in excess of 2000 people following us on there.
The bigger it got the more I needed help so I assembled a little committee of 6 others plus me and we try run it as professionally as we can even though not a cent of money exchanges hands almost ever.
The whole culture is we do this for the community so we never charge for runs or membership and it will always be a completely free way to meet new people and run. This perhaps makes us a bit unique as well and also allows us to collaborate with brands and corporates from all walks of life and at all levels without any expectation or bias. May sound strange but having myself and my committee “work on it for free” so to speak sets the tone and a part of me loves how it shows everyone out there that we can still just be good people and do things for others with no expectations in return.
Tuesday: 5km, 7.5km & 10km options
Thursday: hills or intervals
Weekends: a long run on a weekend or 5km, 1km, 15km & 20km.
We have established a base at Fábrica coffee shop in Glenore centre where we have security, parking, bathrooms and a coffee shop partner that does great coffee deals every morning for us. We also have a time trial night once a month where everyone stays behind for burgers. On the weekend we rotate the venues a bit to keep it fresh and have great relationships with loads of coffee shops in Durban, especially daily dose in Umhlanga
We also often split into pace groups to make it a bit easier for people to find their place but lately people seem to do that naturally
The committee tries to meet once a month to plan social media, special events, calendar planning and key races and training. We keep it fun and funky and on trend and are always linking up with brands for cool ideas. We also have specific charity events a few times a year. This year on Mandela day we raised over 1000 second hand running shoes and clothing items that we donated to the Inanda trail running community on a very special day. We also have an annual charity day event, this year in August, where we raised 25k from our community for the Sithanda school which needed to be repainted and fixed. This has become a key focus for us – helping others – and we are lucky to have a wonderful community of people who always react amazingly.
How Does Run Boss Collaborate with Brands?
We’ve been fortunate to partner with incredible brands like Puma, Adidas, and Salomon, who bring their latest gear for us to test out and learn about. This keeps things fresh and gives runners a chance to try different products and get guidance from experienced runners. It’s all about enriching the experience and adding value without any financial transactions, keeping Run Boss accessible to everyone. These collaborations provide exciting opportunities for our runners to try top-notch equipment, often receiving expert advice from some of our seasoned members.
What Advice Would You Give to Other Runners?
It’s always very intimidating to start. You feel like everyone is faster and fitter but everyone started somewhere. I’m not a great runner myself but just love everything else that comes with it and really love the way it’s given me some calm and competitive edge all rolled into one whilst connecting with so many great new people. I think most people have the outside perception of being clicky but it’s really not and perhaps my favourite part of the whole thing is watching the transformations. My advice would be to challenge yourself to change your approach. The more hard things you do the more you get used to doing hard things and it makes the other chaos in life seem manageable. Running is hard!
Why Do People Choose Run Boss?
Probably answers in various places above but mainly because even though they won’t admit it, it’s providing a platform to actually put your phone away and really connect with people for real. I think the younger generation really needs and craves that connection and we sometimes joke that at Run Boss, we are “athletic tinder” because we give everyone a chance to meet in real life.
Human beings need community and I think the older clubs were maybe just a bit set in their ways, whereas the modern communities are finding ways to make training and connecting fun and cool. They also love the after run stuff that comes with it. The strava posting, the pbs, the photos on Instagram, the reels and it’s almost like the run is 30% of it but the other 70.% is chatting about it after in Whatsapp groups and planning the next one
Looking to Join?
Run Boss has runners from all levels, from those aiming for sub-3-hour marathons to beginners working through their first 5k. Whether you’re on a coaching program or just coming out for fun, our sessions are easy to follow thanks to the experience we have within the group. If you’re looking to combine fitness with friendship in a supportive environment, Run Boss could be the place for you. Come join us for a run, and see how running together can make a world of difference!
The Cape Town HYROX Race has come and gone, but there is still so much to train for as more events are being lined up around South Africa in coming months – By Cameron Cleaver
NPL Ambassador Vicky MacIntosh Makes History as South Africa’s First Hyrox Champion
South Africa’s fitness community recently celebrated a groundbreaking achievement as Vicky MacIntosh, an elite triathlete and CrossFitter, claimed victory in the country’s first-ever Hyrox race. The 33-year-old made history in Cape Town by becoming the first professional South African athlete to qualify for the 2024 Hyrox World Championships. This accomplishment comes alongside another exciting announcement: Vicky is now officially an ambassador for NPL (Nutritional Performance Labs), a leading sports supplement brand.
Powered by NPL: Vicky MacIntosh’s Journey to Victory
As NPL’s newest ambassador, Vicky isn’t just celebrating her Hyrox win—she’s also highlighting the importance of proper supplementation in achieving peak athletic performance. “Our partnership with Vicky has played a key role in her training, helping her optimize her nutrition and recovery so she can compete at the international level,” says Cherrie Blackmore, NPL’s Head of Marketing.
Vicky’s supplement regimen, designed to meet the intense demands of Hyrox, includes NPL’s Platinum Whey, maltodextrin for sustained energy, and Creatine Monohydrate for strength and endurance. She also uses NPL’s VitaPack to ensure her body gets essential vitamins and minerals for overall health and recovery.
“Nutrition is crucial for success in Hyrox, especially for women,” Vicky explains. “There’s a lot of confusion around supplements, and with NPL, I’m excited to share insights on how to fuel properly for high-performance sports, particularly for female athletes.”
Hyrox: A Global Fitness Sensation
Hyrox is a hybrid race combining running with functional workout stations, and its global popularity is on the rise. In South Africa, it’s quickly gaining traction among both professional and amateur athletes. Known for her versatility in endurance sports, Vicky adapted to the tough demands of Hyrox, which includes eight rounds of 1km runs with high-intensity workout stations in between.
“Hyrox is special because it’s accessible to so many people—the exercises are simple but physically challenging,” says Vicky. “It’s not just a test of fitness, but also of mental toughness.”
Pioneering Hyrox in South Africa
Vicky’s win in Cape Town is a major step in introducing Hyrox to South Africa. As she continues competing internationally, she’s also focused on raising awareness for the sport and encouraging more South Africans to get involved.
“My goal isn’t just to qualify for the Elite 15 circuit—the top tier of Hyrox athletes worldwide—but also to help grow the sport in South Africa,” Vicky shares. “With NPL’s support, I’m hoping to build a strong Hyrox community here and show that South Africans can compete at the highest level.”
NPL is equally excited about the partnership. “Vicky MacIntosh truly embodies what NPL stands for—excellence, dedication, and constantly pushing boundaries,” says Cherrie. “We’re proud to be part of her journey as she continues to break new ground in Hyrox.”
Looking Ahead
With her Hyrox debut behind her, Vicky is preparing for a busy season ahead, with competitions lined up in Europe as she works toward earning a spot in the Elite 15 circuit. As she tackles new challenges, NPL will continue to support her, fueling her progress with their premium sports supplements.
Vicky MacIntosh’s story is one of determination, passion, and the power of nutrition. Her Hyrox victory and partnership with NPL are setting the stage for her to inspire the next generation of South African athletes and lead the charge in this rapidly growing sport.
South Africa, are you ready to upgrade your smartwatch game? The revolutionary HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series has arrived, and it’s here to do more than just tell time—it’s here to redefine how you live, starting at an unbeatable price of just R4,999.00.
The HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series stands out from the crowd. Why? It’s not just a smartwatch; it’s your ultimate health companion and style statement, packed with cutting-edge features like the all-new HUAWEI TruSense System. This powerhouse of health monitoring and fitness tracking is designed to work seamlessly with iOS and Android devices, meaning more people can experience what it truly means to live on the cutting edge of wearables.
Tailor-Made for You: Two Editions, Endless Possibilities
The HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series comes in two editions—the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro and the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5, offering something for everyone. Whether you love a bold design or prefer a more minimal look, there’s a version that suits your style.
No one wants a smartwatch that runs out of juice halfway through the day. That’s why the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series comes with exceptional battery life. The 46mm model offers up to 14 days of battery life, while the 41mm and 42mm versions still pack in up to 7 days of power. Plus, with wireless charging, powering up is a breeze.
TruSense: Next-Level Health Monitoring
HUAWEI TruSense makes its debut on the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series, and it’s a serious upgrade in health and fitness tracking. Imagine a watch that not only tracks your heart rate with over 98% accuracy during your runs but also checks in on your emotional well-being. The Emotional Wellbeing Assistant takes care of that, learning your long-term patterns and helping you better manage stress.
And just for fun, the watch even comes with a Pet Panda watch face that reflects your mood through cute animations!
Female users can also enjoy advanced cycle management, making it easy to stay on top of health needs with insights delivered in a simple, easy-to-use format.
Athlete-Approved: Packed with Sports Features
For those who love to stay active, the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series brings a whole new level of sports tracking. Cyclists, runners, and adventurers alike will find something to love. The HUAWEI Sunflower Positioning System ensures accurate route mapping for cyclists and runners, while the new RouteDraw feature adds a creative twist to every run by letting you share your custom routes on social media straight from the HUAWEI Health App.
If trail running is your thing, you’ll love the new directional guidance feature. If you go off the beaten path, the watch will guide you back on track with real-time prompts. Cycling enthusiasts will find that the HUAWEI Health App turns your smartphone into a full-fledged cycling computer, displaying all the key data you need in real-time.
And for the diving enthusiasts, the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro offers water resistance for up to 40 meters for free diving. But we haven’t forgotten about golfers! The upgraded Golf Course Mode on the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro offers access to over 345 golf course maps across South Africa, ensuring your game is always on point.
Where Health Meets Style
The HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series is not just a smartwatch—it’s a new standard for health monitoring and style. From Pro-level sports features to a sleek design that can keep up with your busiest days, this smartwatch does it all, and it looks good while doing it.
Ready to level up your life? The HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series is available now—get yours today and start experiencing the future.
Available now at HUAWEI online stores, HUAWEI Experience Stores, and selected retailers across South Africa, you can get your hands on the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series starting at just R4,999.00. And for those who want peace of mind, HUAWEI Care+ can be added to ensure you’re covered no matter where your day takes you.