TRAIL magazine

28/08/2023

Did you miss it? If you haven't read our latest newsletter (with Big News) yet, you can do so online: https://tinyurl.com/TRAILmail-16fb

Topics include:

Editorial. An end – and a beginning.
Health. Fibre's potent benefits. Wellness Summit.
Races. Harrismith Mountain Race. Kudu Canter.
Products. 32Gi. Brooks. Olympic. Salomon. Saucony. Triple Orange.
Training. Those lights on your smartwatch have a story to tell...
Opinion. The fuss over UTMB's sponsor: a balanced view.

24/08/2023

UTMB Sponsorship Green Rage
An opinion piece by Warren King

If you follow any trail running pages on social media you are probably already aware of the latest brouhaha surrounding UTMB, the race everybody loves to hate.

If not, a very brief summary: UTMB recently announced Dacia as its new headline sponsor.

If, like me, you had no idea who that is, Dacia is a European [Romanian, founded 1966 - Ed] carmaker that specialises in making 'environmentally friendly SUVs' (according to UK leasing company avluk.co.uk). The announcement has been met with something of a green backlash, with some corners of the trail running world expressing dissatisfaction at the 'insensitivity' of allowing a 'carbon-heavy' brand to throw money at our beloved sport.

This sentiment has been most prominently represented by an online petition (https://tinyurl.com/news-greenrunpetition-tm16) started by The Green Runners (https://tinyurl.com/news-greenrunners-tm16), a UK-based environmental running community (Facebook https://tinyurl.com/news-utmb-tm16), asking UTMB to denounce Dacia as a sponsor and signed by none other than the world’s highest profile and arguably greatest trail runner, Kilian Jornet. https://tinyurl.com/news-kiliansign-fb

The general response in the social media Town Square has been pretty overwhelmingly sceptical of the outrage, not least because Kilian himself counts Mercedes-Benz as one of his own sponsors.

Without judging any individual, especially one who has been inspirational to so many not only in his athletic ability but also in his lifestyle and positive attitude to life, it is nonetheless easy to be sceptical about this storm of self-righteous green-rage that has erupted in the trail running teacup.

No one will argue that the underlying cause is not a good one. As trail runners, we are probably closer to nature and more invested in the sanctity of our natural environment than most.

However, this crusade against the biggest, highest profile and most commercially-oriented trail event (and brand) in the world, one that annually spurs 10,000 people from every corner of the globe to jump on planes, trains, and automobiles to travel vast distances to get to the glorious Alps and probably has a bigger carbon footprint than the annual World Economic Forum talkfest in Davos*, smacks of hypocrisy.

The flip side is that it has sparked conversation on topics that we definitely should all be talking about. Notwithstanding the risk of a backlash to what may be viewed as “green extremism”, if the result is nothing more than all of us being a little more aware of the roles we have to play as individuals in our fight to protect the planet, then it is a good one.

Oh, plus we now all know who Dacia is.

* Located in the same neighbourhood as UTMB, coincidentally.

23/08/2023

Where have you run this August? Share your pic here (with a description of your adventure) and you may appear in Friday's TRAILmail newsletter.

A while back, Joani Konick captured this striking winter sunrise on 1,309m Vensterberg Peak, a popular out-and-back route (which is around 6km in total).

"It starts from the Sputnik at the top of Outeniqua Pass. It's quite tough, with lots of climbing, but rewards you with stunning 360 degree views. On a clear day, when you look through the Window, you can see as far as The Point in Mossel Bay!
"Absolutely breathtaking! It's one of the peaks in the popular 6 Peaks Challenge here in George," says Joani, who has scaled it 11 times.

21/08/2023

Ahoy trail runners of DURBAN (and everywhere)! Please give this a read and help protect our natural heritage by adding your signature to oppose potential development of three threatened grasslands.

The Everton, Kloof and Gillitts Conservancies have, in partnership with the eThekwini Municipality’s Biodiversity Management Department, maintained three grasslands in the Upper Highway for over 10 years (30 years in the case of the Eskotene Grassland).

The conservancies have spent thousands of rands and thousands of hours of dedicated physical work annually converting these properties from invasive alien plant infested, derelict and degraded properties into stunning grasslands which are rich in biodiversity and of enormous benefit to residents as open green spaces.

But now this is under potential threat from a 'developer' who has ostensibly been 'donated' the land.

The Gillitts, Everton and Kloof Conservancies collectively urge all residents of Durban to sign this petition and support the protection of these and other grasslands for current and future generations.

https://tinyurl.com/planet-highwaygrass-fb

18/08/2023

There are as many reasons for running as there are runners.

For most of us, running brings both pleasure and a challenge.

Life, as they say, isn't for sissies, and they're absolutely right.

Running isn't just physical; it's a mental journey too. It's a way to flex your vasbyt muscles, so that when life's challenges roll through, you're equipped with resilience.

Yet, the human mind is a complex wonder. There are times you need a little extra help to figure things out.

That is when the insights of professionals trained in the complexities of the mind can be priceless. They can assist you in finding your path back to balance and clarity when life throws you off course.

Join us for the first Happy Minds Summit, starting on 28 August. It's FREE and over the 10 days you'll gain strategies, tips and insights from 72 trusted mental health experts, therapists and healers.

You’ll find out what you need to know to create the HAPPY MIND that will give you the HAPPY LIFE!

Save your spot at this completely free online event:
️
👉 https://tinyurl.com/happyminds23fb



(Vasbyt = Afrikaans word for tenacious, an attitude of never-give-up)

15/08/2023

HEROES! Huge gratitude from the trail running community for the work that Wilderness Search And Rescue WSAR Western Cape does!

Give them a follow and support their operating costs via https://www.backabuddy.co.za/sos-for-life-saving-equipment

10/08/2023

Did you miss it 'cos you haven't subscribed yet? Well, sign up today to get the next TRAILmail newsletter. https://tinyurl.com/newsletter-trailmail

You'll get two editions a month to your email inbox, full of inspiration for your trail running.

Read our latest edition online now --> https://tinyurl.com/TRAILmail-15fb

WHAT'S IN IT?
Editorial. Meg's film. Gauteng air! Drills for fast running.
Adventure. Night Vibes in Mother City.
Races & Places. Harrismith Mountain. Kudu Canter. WildJoburg.
Products. Salomon Shift 3. Saucony Sense 5 Martina.
Training. Running drills. Vertical bounce. Apnea squats.
Health. Air quality winter is back – what to do.
News. Meg's film. Rainbow runner. 66yo ultra winner.

09/08/2023

Wishing a special National Women's Day to all South African readers, and especially the Women of South Africa!

The day commemorates the 1956 march of approximately 20,000 women to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to petition against the country's pass laws that required South Africans defined as "black" under The Population Registration Act to carry an internal passport, known as a passbook, that served to maintain population segregation, control urbanisation, and manage migrant labour during the apartheid era. The first National Women's Day was celebrated on 9 August 1995. In 2006, a reenactment of the march was staged for its 50th anniversary, with many of the 1956 march veterans.

Source: Wikipedia

31/07/2023

July you BEAUTY!

How's YOUR MONTH been on the TRAIL RUNNING front?

Show and tell us and you may appear in this Friday's newsletter. Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/newsletter-trailmail

A week ago, Waheeb Slarmie posted this pic of buddy Rameez Mc Kechnie looking a tad out of breath 😅 early into one of Waheeb's favourite races: the 25km Bastille Day Trail Run, organised by Energy Events.

In the distance, the rocks above the Berg River Dam reflect pure gold in the morning light.

24/07/2023

Did you miss Friday's TRAILmail newsletter? 😔

No worries. You can read it online. 👇

Topics include:

~ A SAffa Gets A Podium in Europe, And Another Sets A UK 3 Peaks FKT.

~ Night Running: A Short Horror Story To Improve Your Dark Zone Runs.

~ Products: A Healthy Sunblock, And Orange Peel-Based Household Cleaners.

Read it online https://tinyurl.com/TRAILmail-14-fb

20/07/2023

True to form, July has had some CHILLY days!

Did you spot any polar bears on any of your runs?

Whether you did or didn't, this is your opportunity to share your photos and tell us about them. Best goes into our next newsletter.

This inspirational Drakensberg photo is a throwback to the 2018 Runtheberg featuring Mandla Mncube (who won the race in 2015).

Mandla travelled to Alberta this month as one of the South African firefighting team. They assisted with firefighting efforts in the Canadian province.

Photo: Phonix Capture

11/07/2023

If you missed it last week, read TRAIL Mail online:

Faster Uphills, Less Effort.
Avoid Dry Cleaning Toxins.
Omega-3 To Maintain Muscle.
Investing Tips For Trail Runners.

Header photo: Joani Konick captured this striking winter sunrise on 1,309m Vensterberg Peak, a popular out-and-back route (approximately 6km in total). "It starts from the Sputnik at the top of Outeniqua Pass. It's quite tough, with lots of climbing, but rewards you with stunning 360 degree views. O...