| | TRAIL Mail #21: Friday 5 June 2020 | Rivers, Racism, Respect, Running.
New virtual events this month.
Last weeks to win Suunto 7. | | In this issue (click the category to save scrolling): - From the Editors. Racism and runners: share your experiences.
- Photo of the week. Trails open up – and you go find them!
- News. List of SA trails open to you under Level 3.
- Funny. That feeling of your brain going quiet as you try not to fall...
- Trail Poll. Now that you can run any time of day, will you?
- Calendar. New virtual events and hopeful races in late June.
- Gear. The Julbo Aero UTMB® is world-class eyewear.
- Competition. Last three weeks to win Suunto 7 smartwatch worth R8,000.
- TRAIL, print & digital. Read issue 35 in print or online.
| | | | | | DEON: Rivers, Racism, Respect, Running.
This morning I read about American trail runner Joe Gray's experiences with racism. It takes guts to look back at painful memories and then share them with the world. Emotions trump statistics. Nothing hits you in the gut harder than writing that puts you in the shoes of the writer. If anyone has ever disparaged you for anything, you'll know what I mean. Now imagine that happening in unspoken ways every single day of your life.
Do you think it's time to talk about South Africa's own racism, framed by trail runners' experiences, in our next issue? If you do, email me your views and memories anytime before noon 12 June to make our deadline.
Racism is like a sharp two-edged blade. It cuts both ways. It hurts the haters and those they hate. Racism is really fear, the opposite of love. I believe that fear stems from feelings of unworthiness. Racists think they're superior, but it's over-compensation for feelings of inadequacy. When we feel secure in ourselves, there is no need to fear and hate others.
On Wednesday, I Facebooked the Faithless 'Outrospective' album cover, with its 1968 Paris student riots image. A friend said that the looting in the US this week could not be condoned. I agreed: "Hurting people and trashing infrastructure cannot be condoned. You have to ask what it takes to push people so far though. This goes way back. A lack of respect for each other is the problem."
To anyone who might feel an urge to hate those who are 'other', I have this to say. Opposing racism can only be good for you. Collaboration advances us all far further than exploitation and kneeling on the necks of others ever will. How about moving away from defining people in blacks and whites, and instead acknowledge that we're all shades of brown, we're all related, we're all One? How about celebrating our differences and strengths? I think we'll find that mutual respect is an overwhelming win-win.
Wishing you happy, fearless trails and a bloody marvellous weekend!
Deon Braun, TRAIL founder | | HELOISE: A heavy week. This week held the heaviness of Blackout Tuesday, and the lightness of Global Running Day on Wednesday. Those of you who know me personally, will be aware that I am invested in social justice. Seeing the black squares appear on my Instagram feed on Tuesday, not just from fellow activists, but from the trail running community and brands all over the world, warmed my heart. If it upset you, pay attention to this kiddo and her sign. When other running media has spoken out on the issue, I've seen people retort "stick to sport, politics don't belong here." But if you are a group which is discriminated against, sport along the rest of your life is affected. Here is an American perspective of race in trail running. The violence of authorities towards Black people isn't limited to the USA. This article highlights the deaths of 11 people in South Africa, killed by excess force at the hands of the SANDF and SAPS during lockdown. If you are supporting the Black Lives Matter movement overseas, consider how you can be a better ally in our country. It was a privilege that I could switch off my brain for an 8km trail run on Wednesday, in my Run4Rivers. Absolute bliss! My river-crossing confidence was very shaky, but after five practice rounds I got the hang of it. I plan to spend as many hours as possible outside in the dirt this weekend! Heloise Hunter, TRAIL associate editor | | | | With level 3 lockdown, a number of trails have opened, and the 5km radius restriction fell away! We loved seeing your photos on Monday's TrailTrophy thread. One of our favourites shows Annelie Nel jumping for joy at being able to run in Baakens Valley, Port Elizabeth. Their photo may appear in a future TRAIL issue – and so could yours.Share your lockdown trail running #TrailTrophies on Facebook and Twitter at any time. Use that hashtag and #trailmagpix on Instagram and Twitter when you tag us. Or email us. Be sure to tell us a bit about your run for the caption. (Please note: event photographer images aren't printed.) Prefer words? Write a letter instead. Your opinions, life-changing experiences, happy and sad memories, and reflections on our sport are waiting to be shared with the community. If your letter is published, you'll receive a pair of run-specific Feetures socks. | | |
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