WHY DO I RUN?

-BY GARY KNIGHT

WHY DO I RUN?

-BY GARY KNIGHT

ATG NUTRITION

ATG NUTRITION

WHY DO I RUN?

-BY GARY KNIGHT

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Why Do I Run? Because I Hate It a Little.


Running was never something I loved—but that’s exactly why I stuck with it. I believe we’re built to run. It’s primal. It’s how we once caught our food. It challenges us, forces us to leave the comfort zone, and that’s where real change happens. That’s exactly what running did for me. As an introvert, it pushed me into social spaces and took me to places I’d only read about in books. My fitness journey only really began in 2017, which many would call “late”—especially since I’m now in my late 40s. But over these years, I’ve learned more about myself than I ever thought possible—lessons you can only discover by tackling hard things.


How It All Started.


I first met Nic Chalmers when he announced that he’d be moving the karate dojo—where my kids trained to Randburg Hoërskool. Nic and his brothers, Kyle and James, have been teaching my kids karate since 2015.


I’m someone who trusts my gut when it comes to people, and after hearing Nic speak, I knew instantly: this was someone I wanted influencing my children. My daughter once showed off her sparring skills by giving me a proper beatdown—and while I should have been humiliated, I couldn’t have been prouder.



Running, CrossFit & The Road to Boston.


I made quick progress with running and completed my first Comrades Marathon in 2019. I remember listening to a podcast with Coach Lindsay Parry during that training cycle. A beginner asked, “Can I train for Comrades and do CrossFit four times a week?” Coach Parry’s answer: “No.

He was right. The physical demand of training for your first Comrades is enormous, and combining that with CrossFit would’ve been reckless.

Today, however, I train four to five days a week at ATG, and I run 60 to 100 km a week. This combination has taken my fitness to another level.

Chasing the Six Star Medal—a global marathon milestone—started with my good friend Jorg. He inspired me as we did our early morning runs, and he told me that while five of the six stars can be entered via a lottery, Boston requires a qualifying time. To get that time, I had to break through my plateau. My running load was already maxed, so the only way to improve was to add strength training. That’s when I joined ATG in 2022. I qualified for Boston at the Cape Town Marathon in 2023.


A Setback, a Comeback


At the end of 2024, I needed a surgical procedure. There were doubts about whether I’d recover in time for the Boston Marathon in April 2025. I had just three months. The doctor wasn’t sure I’d make it—but gave me permission to try. Nic worked with me through rehab. The ATG coaching staff supported me every step of the way. And not only did I run Boston—I ran a personal best.


Why ATG Works


ATG is more than a gym—it’s a community. It’s a place where you’re coached, guided, encouraged, and supported by professionals who genuinely care. Since joining, I’ve completed multiple marathons and ultras, on both road and trail. CrossFit has played a key role in keeping me strong, injury-free, and capable of chasing down every goal I’ve set.



Running, CrossFit & The Road to Boston.


I made quick progress with running and completed my first Comrades Marathon in 2019. I remember listening to a podcast with Coach Lindsay Parry during that training cycle. A beginner asked, “Can I train for Comrades and do CrossFit four times a week?” Coach Parry’s answer: “No.

He was right. The physical demand of training for your first Comrades is enormous, and combining that with CrossFit would’ve been reckless.

Today, however, I train four to five days a week at ATG, and I run 60 to 100 km a week. This combination has taken my fitness to another level.

Chasing the Six Star Medal—a global marathon milestone—started with my good friend Jorg. He inspired me as we did our early morning runs, and he told me that while five of the six stars can be entered via a lottery, Boston requires a qualifying time. To get that time, I had to break through my plateau. My running load was already maxed, so the only way to improve was to add strength training. That’s when I joined ATG in 2022. I qualified for Boston at the Cape Town Marathon in 2023.


A Setback, a Comeback


At the end of 2024, I needed a surgical procedure. There were doubts about whether I’d recover in time for the Boston Marathon in April 2025. I had just three months. The doctor wasn’t sure I’d make it—but gave me permission to try. Nic worked with me through rehab. The ATG coaching staff supported me every step of the way. And not only did I run Boston—I ran a personal best.


Why ATG Works

ATG is more than a gym—it’s a community. It’s a place where you’re coached, guided, encouraged, and supported by professionals who genuinely care. Since joining, I’ve completed multiple marathons and ultras, on both road and trail. CrossFit has played a key role in keeping me strong, injury-free, and capable of chasing down every goal I’ve set.



Running, CrossFit & The Road to Boston.


I made quick progress with running and completed my first Comrades Marathon in 2019. I remember listening to a podcast with Coach Lindsay Parry during that training cycle. A beginner asked, “Can I train for Comrades and do CrossFit four times a week?” Coach Parry’s answer: “No.

He was right. The physical demand of training for your first Comrades is enormous, and combining that with CrossFit would’ve been reckless.

Today, however, I train four to five days a week at ATG, and I run 60 to 100 km a week. This combination has taken my fitness to another level.

Chasing the Six Star Medal—a global marathon milestone—started with my good friend Jorg. He inspired me as we did our early morning runs, and he told me that while five of the six stars can be entered via a lottery, Boston requires a qualifying time. To get that time, I had to break through my plateau. My running load was already maxed, so the only way to improve was to add strength training. That’s when I joined ATG in 2022. I qualified for Boston at the Cape Town Marathon in 2023.


A Setback, a Comeback


At the end of 2024, I needed a surgical procedure. There were doubts about whether I’d recover in time for the Boston Marathon in April 2025. I had just three months. The doctor wasn’t sure I’d make it—but gave me permission to try. Nic worked with me through rehab. The ATG coaching staff supported me every step of the way. And not only did I run Boston—I ran a personal best.


Why ATG Works

ATG is more than a gym—it’s a community. It’s a place where you’re coached, guided, encouraged, and supported by professionals who genuinely care. Since joining, I’ve completed multiple marathons and ultras, on both road and trail. CrossFit has played a key role in keeping me strong, injury-free, and capable of chasing down every goal I’ve set.



Why Do I Run? Because I Hate It a Little.


Running was never something I loved—but that’s exactly why I stuck with it. I believe we’re built to run. It’s primal. It’s how we once caught our food. It challenges us, forces us to leave the comfort zone, and that’s where real change happens. That’s exactly what running did for me. As an introvert, it pushed me into social spaces and took me to places I’d only read about in books. My fitness journey only really began in 2017, which many would call “late”—especially since I’m now in my late 40s. But over these years, I’ve learned more about myself than I ever thought possible—lessons you can only discover by tackling hard things.


How It All Started.


I first met Nic Chalmers when he announced that he’d be moving the karate dojo—where my kids trained to Randburg Hoërskool. Nic and his brothers, Kyle and James, have been teaching my kids karate since 2015.


I’m someone who trusts my gut when it comes to people, and after hearing Nic speak, I knew instantly: this was someone I wanted influencing my children. My daughter once showed off her sparring skills by giving me a proper beatdown—and while I should have been humiliated, I couldn’t have been prouder.



Why Do I Run? Because I Hate It a Little.


Running was never something I loved—but that’s exactly why I stuck with it. I believe we’re built to run. It’s primal. It’s how we once caught our food. It challenges us, forces us to leave the comfort zone, and that’s where real change happens. That’s exactly what running did for me. As an introvert, it pushed me into social spaces and took me to places I’d only read about in books. My fitness journey only really began in 2017, which many would call “late”—especially since I’m now in my late 40s. But over these years, I’ve learned more about myself than I ever thought possible—lessons you can only discover by tackling hard things.


How It All Started.


I first met Nic Chalmers when he announced that he’d be moving the karate dojo—where my kids trained to Randburg Hoërskool. Nic and his brothers, Kyle and James, have been teaching my kids karate since 2015.


I’m someone who trusts my gut when it comes to people, and after hearing Nic speak, I knew instantly: this was someone I wanted influencing my children. My daughter once showed off her sparring skills by giving me a proper beatdown—and while I should have been humiliated, I couldn’t have been prouder.



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