Running with a legend

Running fanatics had the opportunity to rub feet with South African running legend Zola Budd when she visited the Dolphin Coast last week.

Budd, a former Olympic track and field competitor, world record breaker in the 5000m and former World Cross Country Championships winner, hosted a running clinic at Sugar Rush on Thursday morning.

Renowned for training and competing barefoot, Budd talked about the importance of running form to prevent injuries and improve overall performance.

“If you want to get better at swimming or golf, you look at your stroke. With running, people just go out and run, they never stop to think about their form. “Good running form is developed by landing your feet underneath your centre of gravity. Shortening strides helps get this right. “Shoes do not cause injuries, runners do,” she said.

Budd also highlighted important muscle groups that help with good running form (hip flexors, glutes and your core). “The body works amazingly well, before you put your foot down your body is already starting to balance itself.”

To put theory into practice, Budd demonstrated a number of dynamic warm-up exercises that will help improve running form. After trying out the warm-ups Budd took the runners out on a short run on one of the Sugar Rush tracks.

Ballito resident Sandy Damant was excited about meeting her childhood hero. “It was really wonderful and so lovely to meet someone we idolised growing up. She really was a legend when I was young and she is just so sweet and humble,” said Damant.

Budd’s visit was one of four clinics she ran last week, including Pinetown, Hillcrest and Westville.

“It is really good to give back and share my knowledge with other runners. I also learn something new at every clinic by talking to different people,” said Budd .

Living in South Carolina in the USA, Budd’s visit to South Africa is mainly to promote Newton running shoes and run the Two Oceans marathon this weekend.

“I am a bit apprehensive because it is so far away, but I am looking forward to it. If I can beat my time from last year I will be happy.”

Budd is the brand ambassador for Newton in South Africa and promotes the ‘natural running’ shoes, which help runners to land on the balls of their feet.