You will be hooked by the warm personalities that make up the trail community by the end of TRAIL 16.
There is a strong focus on the people that make the trail running world so special.
Warm-hearted runners maintain trails, raise money for women with cancer, help each other over the finish line, and are generally inspiring earthlings.
As always, there is a strong dose of advice for both running and living healthy.
Get advice on how to use trekking poles for your next race, but also learn that not all cholesterol is bad.
Have a look back at some of the bigger races that have happened in the past few months in South Africa, as well as internationally.
Find out how well team South Africa did in two World Championship races in Europe.
TRAIL 16 and all other back issues are available here, as a single issue or a package deal.
What else is waiting inside issue 16?
Reader experiences
Find out what #RedSockFriday is about as you flip through some incredible reader pics in the My Life section. There is also a letter that broaches a controversial topic in trail running – the Comrades Marathon. Ivan Jonsson says give it a go, and you will appreciate trail running all over again!
Bike Park Runs
- Take over the trails at seven MTB parks across South Africa, from Schapenberg in the Western Cape to Holla Trails in KZN and Buffelsdrift in Gauteng.
People
- You can pick up incredible inspiration from some of our trail people. Kevin Carr ran self supported around the world in order to raise money for those suffering from mental health issues. Meanwhile Alfred Thorpe raised money for the Helen Harder foundation by doing the DGT… barefoot!
Our cover athlete is arguably South Africa’s fastest trail runner. Johardt van Heerden tells us about his athletic family and how running is in his blood. Johardt made the transition from track to trail and placed 23rd overall at the Long Distance Champs. This comes after making the SA team with an unexpected win at Molweni.- Get your socks blown off by Andrew Porter’s solo Drakensberg Grand Traverse record. A solid 215km of mountain terrain in 45 hours, all by yourself? Go Andrew!
- Who are you? The techie? The hippie? The flower-sniffer? Discover your trail runner type and your special abilities.
Training
Feeling burned out? Perhaps your running is harming you. Adrenal overload and over training can hinder your progress and cause you to burn out. Lucy Etherton helps you to stay on top of your game while avoiding over-training syndrome..- If shin splints have you gritting your teeth, learn to heal them with another installment of Sean Tait’s injury prevention series.
- Need to build up strength in your legs? How about some simple box plyometrics to develop explosive force on the trails. Garth Oliver takes you through two box exercise that will easily increase your leg power.
- There is nothing more disrupting to your training than getting sick. Follow our five simple tricks to keep your immune system in tip-top shape.
The hour mark is an important one in running. Coach Mo weighs in on how to maintain your pace over an hour so you can run longer, and further.- Your feet connect you to the ground, so you should really understand how to to get the best out of them. Podiatrist Dennis Rehbock explains the four arch-types and what they mean for your running.
- Gain some insider knowledge on trekking poles from super-adventurer Ryno Griesel, who teams up with Chantel Nienaber, Dirk Cloete, Lisa de Speville, and Andrew Booth for a thorough skills guide.
Experiences
Hear from Bev and Richard Attfield at team Eat.Run.See. They ran through beautiful Croatia as part of their three-year vegan globe-running adventure.- There are four really great stories that were captured at the Giants Cup Trail Run. From a secret wedding proposal to a super-hero grandfather who beat cancer – these stories will inspire.
Nutrition
Not worried about your cholesterol because you are always exercising? Be aware, that isn’t everything. Cholesterol is more complicated that you think. Find out what good cholesterol is and how you can get more of it with advice from to Dr Mirkin.- Getting bored of sliced pawpaw for breakfast? There is plenty more you can do with this versatile fruit, including cooking it up in a casserole!
- There are also some tasty and easy to make DIY energy drinks. These will provide you the nutrients and electrolytes you need to perform on the trails.
Gear
Our product guide will fill you in on some of the latest gear from brands such as CW-X, The North Face, Saucony, and Brooks. There are jackets, shoes, shorts and even a hydration pack to choose from.- There are Saucony Peregrine 5 shoes to be won in the subscriber competition, as well as five copies each of Jacques Marais’ Things to do in Moer and Gone Places and Ann Gadd’s A-Z Places Names of South Africa.
Events
- We look back at some of the bigger trail races that have taken place in South Africa, including Featherbed Run, Outeniqua Quest, Giants Cup Trail Run and Rhodes Run to name a few, as well as some international races. Megan Mckenzie tells us about her IAU Long Distance Trail World Champs in Zermatt, Switzerland.
- There are more than 140 events for you to pick and choose from around the country, and even internationally. Will you take on the Giba Gorge 5km night run or the 100km Tarawera ultramarthon in New Zealand?
Planet
- The Wild Coast is under threat. The Shore Break is a documentary that looks into the battle that is raging between the developers and eco activists at Xolobeni. A titanium mine and N2 highway extention are threatening this pristine area of the world.
About
TRAIL magazine became South Africa’s first print publication dedicated to the booming worldwide activity of trail running in December 2011.
Since then the mag continues to enlighten its growing readership with the best places to run, the most suitable gear and the most popular trail running events from every angle; visiting the Himalayas, Sahara Desert, Amazon and many local trails, including the famed Otter African Trail Run, the Fish River Canyon Ultra and the Salomon Skyrun.
Buy TRAIL magazine
TRAIL retails for R58 (print) in 600+ outlets countrywide.
So where do you find TRAIL? SA’s only trail running print magazine is available at CNA, Clicks, SPAR, Pick n Pay, Exclusive Books, Sportsmans Warehouse, and specialist sports retailers nationwide.
The digital version is available on the App Store and Zinio for iPad, Android, iPhone, laptop and desktop devices in single issue and four issue subscriptions.
TRAIL is also available through Magzter.
All back issues are available here, as a single issue or a package deal.
