Steve Camp

A retiree's forer into flea-market-world; solace in a little cabin in the wood; a final farewell. These are the winning stories from the 2016 Creative Writer's Notebook Short Story Contest. The Honorable Mention short stories are just as diverse. Discover: A suggestion; pests and persistence; a point of no return; learning the trade; Anything for a party; meticulous preparations; an avocation; Petey's journey; The academic's book; a mild-mannered man; a scent of roses; the tourist; If photos could talk; a promising career; the tontine; with this ring; A snowy night; a question of identity; a story within a story within a story; a trick played ... or not; A tangled net; a visit and an unknown future; and a hunting trip. Journeys X presents characters, plots, and emotions in a variety of genres that lead the reader into the fertile imaginations of these award-winning authors. Enjoy

The world's oldest and greatest ultra-marathon, the Comrades Marathon is a South African institution that is internationally-recognised for the body-sapping challenge it poses and the camaraderie it fosters among its thousands of participants from all over the world. Run between the capital of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, and the coastal city of Durban, the race alternates annually between the up run from Durban and the down run from Pietermaritzburg. It was born from an idea dreamed up by First World War veteran Vic Clapham, who wanted a living memorial to those South African soldiers killed in the Great War. Clapham, who had endured a 2 700-kilometre route march through sweltering German East Africa, wanted the memorial to be a unique test of the physical endurance of the entrants. The constitution of the race states that one of its primary aims is to "celebrate mankind's spirit over adversity". First run in 1921, the Comrades Marathon has been held every year since, except from 1941 to 1945 when it was stopped during the Second World War, and in 2020-21, due to the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic. Thirty-four runners entered the first race; today over 20 000 athletes sign up each year to test their endurance in this iconic ultra-marathon, which has become known as the "Ultimate Human Race". It captures the story and the images of this remarkable event, spanning 100 years, which appeals not only to runners but to those captivated by the triumph of the human spirit. Spiced with stories of bygone days and fun anecdotes, the book also looks at everything that goes into making this massive event a smoothly-run, world-leading exhibition of the best that South Africa has to offer.

South Africa's Toughest and Most Scenic Endurance Sporting Events, profiles 40 of the country's toughest, unique, iconic and most scenic trail runs, marathons, swimming, off-shore and trans ocean sailing, canoeing, surf skiing, cycling, mountain biking, off-road motorcycling, off-shore ridged hull and multi-sports events.