Recently, I ran a race without my running watch (once again I had forgotten to charge it). I wasn’t too bothered, although I did find the route’s lack of kilometre markers frustrating as I had no idea how far I still had to go to that all-important finish line. When I mentioned this to my Gen Z son, his response was simply, “Mad!” – for him, to run without some form of electronic measuring device was beyond comprehension.

I often run without a watch. There is nothing quite like simply getting out there, settling into a comfortable pace and running for the sheer joy of it. Many endurance athletes would never dream of training without their electronic device because, without the data at their fingertips and the ability to record every kilometre, pace and heart-rate reading, they somehow feel the work out doesn’t quite count – as they say, “If it’s not on Strava, did it even happen?”

Don’t get me wrong, I fully appreciate the enormous value of electronic devices and the data they provide. They give distance, pace, heart rate, elevation, power and training load which can be key to improving performance.

And for those of us athletes of a certain age, for whom reading a screen requires a pair of reading glasses, the voice prompts are an added bonus. Of course that is only if you don’t mishear the voice prompt – as I did, mistaking a heart rate of 130 for 190, leaving me wondering if I was having a heart attack!

They have also become especially important for physios. It has made their work easier and more data-driven, particularly when treating the ever-injured runners, cyclists and other endurance athletes. Watches provide objective training data that a physio can use, alongside the athlete's symptoms, to understand what may have contributed to an injury. For example, rather than relying entirely on what an athlete remembers doing, a physio can see how their training volume or intensity has increased and thus help identify potential overload.

For younger athletes Strava has increasingly become a social network built around exercise. The social interaction is substantial: Strava users gave 14 billion kudos in 2025, and Strava's own 2025 Year in Sport data describes Gen Z as its fastest-growing demographic. The irony is that Gen Z is supposedly the generation that wants to get away from screens, yet technology has become deeply embedded in how many of them experience exercise.

What is interesting however is that Strava's 2025 data found that subscribers spent approximately one hour being active for every two minutes they spent on the app. So the app isn't necessarily keeping them on their phones, it is encouraging them to get outside and do something that can then be recorded on the phone. Who would have thought that technology would become the driving force behind an entire generation becoming active?

While I recognise the enormous value of technology and the data it provides, I still believe exercise should be about more than chasing data. It should be a pause in your day, a chance to switch off, let your mind wander and simply enjoy the freedom of a run / ride / swim.

FinishTime has been incredibly busy throughout Africa over the past four weeks. In addition to the numerous events they have timed in South Africa, their timing teams have been hard at work across the continent, providing timing services both on the ground and remotely.

Events they have timed include the NBC and Husab Marathons in Namibia; the CRDB and NBC Dodoma Marathons in Tanzania; the Legua Sasol event in Mozambique; the Rwenzori Marathon in Uganda; the World Triathlon Development Regional Cup Kilifi in Kenya; and three events in Mauritius – the MCB Port Mathurin Urban Trail, the Beachcomber Trail and the UBP Welcome Trail.

It is also the seventh consecutive year that FinishTime has been the official timing partner for the NBC Dodoma Marathon in Tanzania, which is far more than just a race. Over the past five years, this event has helped drive meaningful improvements in healthcare by raising funds for maternal health initiatives, cervical cancer awareness and the training of healthcare professionals.

FinishTime even managed to go further a field by remotely timing the TANHA triathlon in the USA. When it comes to timing, FinishTime definitely doesn’t let geography stop them. FinishTime's technology and remote capabilities allows them to work with events anywhere in the world.

The FinishTime sporting calendars below come with a warning to check with the event organisers to ensure events have not been postponed or cancelled.

More event information, a regularly updated events calendar and results of all events timed by FinishTime can be found at www.finishtime.co.za and all results of events timed by FinishTime at results.finishtime.co.za

OUTSURANCE GUN RUN: September 12-13, 2026

The OUTsurance Gun Run is more than just another road race—it's a celebration of Cape Town's running community. With its scenic coastal route, electric atmosphere and distances for runners of all abilities, the event delivers an unforgettable race-day experience in one of South Africa's most beautiful cities.

MIDLANDS ULTRA TRIATHLON: Sept 13,  2026

The Midlands Ultra Triathlon bridges the gap between standard-distance events and full ultra/endurance challenges, making it the perfect next step for developing athletes while still offering a rewarding experience for seasoned competitors. The event will take place at the iconic Midmar Dam, one of South Africa’s premier endurance sport venues.

CAPE PIONEER: September 22-26, 2026

The Cape Pioneer is a multi-day mountain-bike stage race in the Western Cape. It has built a reputation as one of South Africa's standout MTB stage races, combining challenging riding with a strong emphasis on scenery, hospitality and the overall race experience. 2026 promises a challenging, diverse, scenic, and ultimately rewarding experience along the Karoo and Garden Route.