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PUMA Partners with Elite-Tier Boxer Athletics Club

Roxanne MartinNews, RacingLeave a Comment on PUMA Partners with Elite-Tier Boxer Athletics Club

PUMA has signed a multi-year partnership with the Boxer Athletics Club which will see the global sports brand providing the top-tier running club with technical PUMA Running apparel and footwear.

Boxer Athletics Club was established in 2005 and the club’s elite squad includes multiple South African champion and Olympian Precious Mashele as well as Glenrose Xaba, who is also a multiple national champion on the road and on the track.

“PUMA has a growing family of elite distance runners, so partnering with a top-tier club to showcase our innovative product was the obvious next step” said Brett Bellinger, Marketing Director of PUMA South Africa. “By providing the best race day product and through a package of incentives we aim to support athletes to achieve their goals of breaking national records and excelling on the local and global stage.”

The technical product available to members of the elite squad will include the PUMA Deviate Nitro Elite, part of the brand’s new running shoe range as worn by Mashele and Xaba.

Club manager Rhyn Swanepoel said the partnership with PUMA will boost Boxer Athletics Club’s commitment to supporting its athletes’ dreams, from winning races at provincial and national level in South Africa, to competing at World Championships and Olympic Games.

“Boxer also remains dedicated to uplifting the development of community sporting clubs. We will continue our work to enhance the presence of sports in disadvantaged communities and to lay a foundation for future athletes to be realised,” said Swanepoel.

Bring Your Running Shoe Game Up to Speed with the Flow Velociti Wind 2 — Literally

Roxanne MartinNews1 Comment on Bring Your Running Shoe Game Up to Speed with the Flow Velociti Wind 2 — Literally

Runners can experience light and effortless speed with the new UA Flow Velociti Wind 2

The Under Armour human performance and product development teams continue to create innovative solutions for runners to bring you the next generation of unparalleled performance running shoes. With the help of UA athletes and brand ambassadors, the UA Innovation Lab in Baltimore and UA Human Performance Center in Portland, Under Armour develops the best footwear that’s based on key insights and learnings from years of experience and research.

UA has always performed best when we’re disruptive: The UA HOVR Machina launched with the innovative Pebax® Propulsion Plate, and the first iteration of UA Flow eliminated the need for a heavy rubber outsole — and we’re not stopping there.

Technology moves fast and runners’ demands grow, and UA understands the importance of meeting the athlete where they need us. Expanding Under Armour’s Flow running shoe collection that debuted in early 2021 with the UA Flow Velociti Wind and its disruptive all-in-one cushioning system, the UA Flow Velociti Wind 2 is here to bring runners up to speed — literally. The Flow Velociti Wind 2 features the same groundbreaking singular, ultra-responsive and long-lasting midsole compound as its predecessor. The UA Flow cushioning platform eliminates the need for rubber on the outsole, drastically reducing the weight and giving runners the feeling of light and effortless speed — the feeling of the wind at your back.

What is UA Flow

UA Flow disrupts the design of a traditional running shoe with its lightweight construction and by completely eliminating the rubber outsole, removing the 56 to 85 gram weight it typically would add to a traditional running shoe. UA Flow is the lightest midsole technology in UA’s current running lineup, bringing unparalleled lightweight cushion and long-lasting technology to the run category. The foam has naturally sticky traction, so traditional bulky overlays of the past aren’t needed. UA Flow offers runners great energy return, amazing consistency and reliable durability that will keep you reaching for your new favourite pair run after run!

“UA FLOW is a game-changing cushioning technology that expands our capabilities for delivering the best experience and product solutions to the runner. The Flow Velociti Wind 2 delivers speed without sacrifice-keeping the runner protected, delivering amazing energy return, and putting the wind at their back with every stride, every run, every day.”

– Douglas Smiley, Senior Global Product Line Manager for Performance Run at Under Armour

Warp Upper + Tatami Stitch Heel

The UA Flow Velociti Wind 2 is designed for speed over longer distances and engineered to provide great responsiveness, energy return and grippy traction so you can run with confidence. The new shoes feature the groundbreaking super-engineered upper solution, UA Warp, that adapts to the runner’s foot throughout their stride. It features supporting tapes that act like seatbelts on the foot, placed precisely where our biomechanists found them to be most helpful for a runner. The tapes are in tension when you need them and relax when you don’t — eliminating any buckling and pinch points from traditional uppers built with continuous materials.

 The UA Warp upper then moves in unison with the foot, supporting it in each step to help unlock performance by improving the efficiency of the foot-to-shoe interface in each stride. UA Warp locks you onto the UA Flow midsole without getting in the way of the foot’s natural movement.

New for the UA Flow Velociti Wind 2 shoes is the Tatami Stitch Heel: a premium solution that delivers a more consistent lockdown around the heel, a moulded EVA sockliner with added comfort and resiliency and cushioning for high-mileage performance.

The UA Flow Velociti Wind 2 launches in South Africa from 14 April and is  priced at R3 499, it will be available online and at UA Brand Houses across SA.



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PRODUCT DNA:

  • Launch: April 2022
  • Weight: 236 grams
  • Price: R 3,499.00
  • Heel: 26mm
  • Forefoot: 18mm
  • Offset: 8mm
  • Connects to UA MAPMYRUN™: tracks and analyzes your running metrics to help make you a better runner
  • Warp™ upper optimizes containment with lightweight lockdown & allows maximum breathability
  • One-piece Flow midsole provides responsive & long-lasting cushioning
  • Flow technology eliminates the rubber outsole, creating a more lightweight & seamless ride on any surface
  • Outsole material is super-durable & increases ground traction

Hollywoodbets gets the inside lane in South African athletics

Roxanne MartinNewsLeave a Comment on Hollywoodbets gets the inside lane in South African athletics

The running season is now in full swing, and the Hollywoodbets Athletics Club, a division of leading sports betting operator Hollywoodbets, has aimed for the stars as it unveiled the signing of some of South Africa’s brightest talents.

2018 Comrades Marathon winner Ann Ashworth, and Comrades gold medallists Prodigal Khumalo and Mahlomolo Sekhonyana, two-time Two Oceans Marathon gold medallist Loveness Madziva and Soweto Marathon top 10 runner Nontokozo Mkhize, are amongst the heavyweight stars joining the Club.

With the star line-up, the Club has shown its intent to be a leader in the athletics scene this year.

2022 promises to be an exciting season for athletes with the Hollywoodbets Durban Summer 10km making a come back as well as its continuation as the halfway sponsor of the Comrades Marathon.

The Club is invested in giving back to its communities and plans to embark on numerous initiatives to promote development at grassroots level. One of these is to make joining the Club affordable to the passionate runners who come from all walks of life.

Morgan Shandu, Hollywoodbets Athletics Club President, said, “The Hollywoodbets Athletics Club is very excited for the running season ahead. With the runners that are a part of the team, we are looking forward to seeing them achieve great things in the country’s premier races.”

 

2022 ELITE TEAM

 

No. Name Surname
1. ANN ASHWORTH
2. NKOSIKHONA MHLAKWANA
3. COLLEN MULAUDZI
4. PRODIGAL KHUMALO
5. MAHLOMOLA SEKHONYANA
6. NKOSINATHI DUMA
7. RANTSO MOKOPANE
8. REGHEN MAGWAI
9. LOVENESS MADZIVHA
10. THOBANI CHAGWE
11. NTOKOZO MKHIZE
12. MAKHOSAZANA MHLONGO
13. SIKHUMBUZO SEME
14. TSHIAMO MARIBE
15. THULISANG KHAMBULE
     
   

 

Breaking News: Two Oceans Marathon Entries Opening!

Roxanne MartinNewsLeave a Comment on Breaking News: Two Oceans Marathon Entries Opening!

The Two Oceans Marathon (TOM) is pleased to announce that entries for the 51st edition of the iconic Cape ultra and its accompanying half marathon will open on 11 February 2022 at 12pm (midday). The event will take place on Easter Weekend, with the Half Marathon taking place on Saturday 16 April, and the Ultra being run on Sunday 17 April.

This long-awaited announcement about entries will be welcome news to all the thousands of runners hoping to once again run the World ‘s Most Beautiful Marathon, after the race had to be cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown restrictions in South Africa. However, runners need to act fast, as entries will close again at 5pm on 20 February, and then all entries will go into the Ballot System, with successful entries to be drawn on 21 February.

Due to the expected demand, the Ballot System will be used for both the Ultra and Half Marathon, in line with international best practice. At different stages of the balloting process, the draw for successful entries will be weighted in favour of various categories of runners, including Blue Number Club members, Yellow Numbers (those doing their 10th, 20th, etc) and club runners (versus non-licenced runners). Runners entering via the ballot only pay once their name has been successfully drawn in the ballot, and please note that runners may only enter one event, either the Ultra or the Half Marathon.

Ballot Draw Dates

All draws take place 21 February 2022, at the following times:

  • Ultra Marathon Draw 1: 10am
  • Ultra Marathon Draw 2: 2pm
  • Half Marathon Draw 1: 10am
  • Half Marathon Draw 2: 2pm

International and African runners do not enter via the ballot system, and can pay for and secure their entries straight away once entries open on 11 February. These entries will close when capacity is reached.

After general entries close on 20 February, the only way to get into the 2022 Two Oceans Marathon or Half Marathon will be via a Charity Entry, procured through one of the official charity organisations affiliated to the event, and these entries will open on 22 February at 10am. (Entry fees for Charity Entries will be uploaded once final charity partners have been confirmed.)

How To Enter

Go to the race’s homepage at www.twooceansmarathon.org.za when entries open and click ‘Enter Here.’ Create a profile if you do not yet have one on the system and then follow the prompts. If you already have a profile, log in and do the entry process.

Entry Fees

The 2022 entry fees have been ratified by the TOM Board and approved by Western Province Athletics. Take note that all South African runners for the Ultra need to be licensed and belong to a running club.

Entry Type

Ultra

Ultra T-Shirt included

Half Marathon

Half T-shirt is R195

Licensed SA Runners

R700

R375

Unlicensed SA Runners   

N/A

 

R435 (R375 + R60 for temp licence)

Africa Runners

R860

R690

International Athletes

R2575

R1800

Ultra Marathon Qualifiers

For health reasons, particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, qualifying for the TOM Ultra is mandatory, and TOM strongly encourages runners to complete a physical road race as their qualifier. However, any officially timed and measured marathon or longer distance, whether in the form of an officially organised physical or virtual race, run after 1 July 2021, can be used as your qualifier. In the case of a virtual marathon, an official time would be as generated by a smartwatch, a timing app on a smartphone, or a timing platform. Unfortunately, you cannot simply run on your own and time yourself, your qualifying time must have been generated during a virtual event, and the Race Office will be conducting spot checks to verify qualifier information submitted.

For the Ultra Marathon, the qualifying time for a standard marathon distance (42.2km) is 5 hours. For qualifying times run on distances greater than a standard marathon, please go to www.twooceansmarathon.org.za/event_route_info/seeding

Half Marathon Seeding

In the Half Marathon, qualifying times are used to seed you so that faster runners line up at the front, with slower runners further back. We strongly advise that you to provide a seeding time, otherwise you will unfortunately start towards the back. Seeding is based on a previous 10km, 15km or 21.1km run after 𝟏 𝐉𝐔𝐋𝐘 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏: www.twooceansmarathon.org.za/event_race_day/seeding-2/

Startline Seeding

Due to COVID-19 regulations, the race will likely to be using multiple batches of 500 runners, starting two minutes apart, and runners will be seeded accordingly. It is not possible to give exact seeding tables as yet, but your seeding time will be used to place you in a batch appropriate to your running speed, and you will be advised of your batch closer to race day.

COVID-19 Protocols Relevant to Entering

On the advice of the TOM medical team, the below COVID-19 protocols will be observed. Kindly note that these may change with new development in the COVID-19 pandemic and the medical science related to it, as well as Disaster Management Act regulations:

  • You will have to upload proof of vaccination. If you are not vaccinated, you must present proof of a negative PCR/antigen test within 48 hours prior to attending any physical event, including Expo and your actual Race, at your own cost.
  • Please log in to your profile not more than 48 hours prior to any physical TOM event, including Expo/Race Pack Collection, to complete your COVID-19 pre-screening online. (We will send you reminders.)

Should you answer ‘yes’ to any COVID-19 risk factor during pre-screening, or fail the temperature check at Expo and Race Pack Collection, you will need to present proof of a negative COVID-19 test, at your own cost, taken not more than 48 hours prior to the physical event in question. Failure to do so will, unfortunately, result in you forfeiting your entry. Therefore, please remember to keep updating your profile and contact information.

In the Event of Race Cancellation…

In the event of the TOM 2022 being cancelled due to COVID-19, all runners who have paid will have their entries deferred to the next running of the Two Oceans Marathon.

For more information on entries or other race information, please read our FAQs at https://www.twooceansmarathon.org.za/event-info/faqs/ or contact us at 021 2000 459 (general queries) or 087 133 2285 (race-related queries), or email [email protected].

Hovering above Ground with Under Armour!

Roxanne MartinAdvertorial, NewsLeave a Comment on Hovering above Ground with Under Armour!

The UA HOVR Mega 2 Clone, the newest member of the UA HOVR running shoe family, is built with you, the runner, in mind. With NEW Clone Upper Tech the UA HOVR™ Mega 2 Clone is Under Armour’s first running shoe offering a 1:1 personalized fit with the new UA Clone technology that flexes and adapts to your foot as you move through your stride. This running shoe feels like it was made for you. The UA Clone upper locks in and centers your foot over our UA HOVR™ cushioning for a smoother run and better energy return.

The woven structure of the UA Clone upper gets stronger when stretched, becoming thicker perpendicular to the applied force. This internal layer of flexible, auxetic material moulds around the foot for a precise, glove-like fit and feel that’s truly customized to every foot, no matter the size. A 3D moulded sock liner made of 6mm of open cell PU foam cradles the foot with enhanced step-in comfort allow the HOVR Mega 2 Clone to perfectly adapt to the runner’s foot – not vice versa. The cushy but efficient HOVR Mega 2 Clone running shoes are great for long runs and high mileage training.

Designed for zero-gravity feel and great energy return, the HOVR Mega 2 Clone features a HOVR midsole and wide heel and forefoot gauges for a more plush feel. The transition from landing to toe-off feels incredibly smooth with an exposed UA HOVR foam outsole through the midfoot and forefoot pressure zones, providing a soft and pillowy yet responsive ride. Encased in a dynamic Energy Web, the UA HOVR foam is engineered to protect from impact and provides a smooth, stable ride. With comfort as a priority in the design of the shoe, the HOVR Mega 2 Clone features a padded heel collar that protects the achilles from irritation, a padded tongue, a thick sockliner, and an upper constructed specifically to meet the runner’s anatomical need.

With its compatibility with UA MapMyRun™, the shoe is designed to coach you, and ultimately make you a better runner. Don’t believe us? Under Armour, ambassadors tell us why they believe that the technology behind the shoe works in improving, not only your style of running but you as a runner too.

How does UA MapMyRun™ work?

These shoes form to your foot and coach you. By connecting your shoes to UA MapMyRun™ you get real-time Form Coaching tips based on your cadence, pace, and stride. An embedded sensor tracks, analyses and stores detailed running metrics to inform ways to improve your performance. And trust us when we say it can really pay off. In 2020, UA MapMyRun Form Coaching users ran 7% faster and 3% farther based on stats gathered from the community of users! This means that you will get real advantages in knowing what you need to improve on.

I don’t want to run with my phone

That is no problem, the app syncs to most running watches meaning you can still get all of this data following your run, and see where you need to make improvements to get faster and further quicker.




Available for R3199 you can get a 25% discount using the code MEGA25 click https://bit.ly/3AVt5ST to shop now!

Your Next International Marathon

Roxanne MartinNewsLeave a Comment on Your Next International Marathon

International Travel has been out of our reach for so long, but thanks to the vaccination rollout, many borders are opening again for travel to South Africans!

Many of us dream of traveling the world to run international races, crossing them off our bucket running list. Now that these are becoming real possibilities again, the planning for some has become a reality. But where to start?

RunXcursions a new tourist operator is all about creating the opportunity to partake in international marathon races in various countries. While abroad, you will get to experience the culture of other countries, the different kinds of foods, the music, breathtaking landmark views, and communities. This not only gives you a foreign experience of life, but also the ability to do something you love, to run!

Coach Peteni is the lead guide on your excursions! Coach P, Peteni Kuzwayo, is a running fanatic who has taken his passion and created an entrepreneurial career out of it. Having been the only Nike Run Club coach in Africa, his running pedigree boasts hundreds of marathons and eight Comrades Marathons, the race dubbed the “Ultimate Human Race”. His passion for running has seen him travel the world, including the epic experiences in Chicago, New York and Zanzibar.

So where is the next destination on Coach P’s itinerary? The amazing Zurich Marathon!

Are you going to be joining? Check out the full package below:

Zurich Half or Full Marathon

7th to the 15th April 2022

R41,745/Single(vat incl) or R33,997/Sharing(vat incl)

Package includes:

  • Transfers
  • Group Insurance
  • Race Entry Package
  • Return Flights (Emirates Economy Class)
  • Pasta Carbo loading dinner (pre race) & Boat
    Cruise (post race)
  • 6 Nights Accommodation at Leonardo Boutique
    Hotel (breakfast included)



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