If you have any runner friends or live in South Africa, you will have seen runners or supporters of runners counting down to the ultimate human race, the 96th Comrades Marathon, taking place in just a few days on Sunday, 11 June 2023. This year, the race starts in Pietermaritzburg and ends in Durban. With 20,000 entries, one can only imagine the hustle and bustle leading up to the big event. 

On the flip side, if you’re a runner, you’re just about to reach the end of your training programme and do the last-minute administrative preparations. GOOD LUCK! 

Some participants already know exactly what they will be packing into their waist bags or running belts, while others are still grappling with whether or not to run with a phone (as they possibly have been for as long as they’ve been running). 

Some deem it essential to run with a phone in case they need to make that emergency call, so they (hesitantly) run with their smartphone – which is no longer a necessity since many runners use smartwatches to track their runs. In this case, using a feature phone could be very handy. Not only for those who have chosen to participate in the Comrades Marathon but also for everyday walkers, casual runners and the parent who goes for a walk with their kids in their neighborhood. 

Due to the worrying crime statistics in South Africa, deciding whether to take your phone can be difficult. 

There is one answer that addresses your concern. A FEATURE PHONE; this way you don’t run the risk of your smartphone being taken from you, it’s small build fits into a pocket or in your preferred running bag and you will be able to make that emergency call if needs be. 

A great example of a feature phone is HMD Global’s Nokia 105, which has a wireless radio capability that allows you to listen to FM radio with or without headphones or the news, and in the case of the Comrades Marathon, listen to live updates of the race and has the battery to last the whole day*. 

Whether you’re the everyday walker, the casual runner or the parent who goes on a walk with their kids in their neighbourhood, a feature phone is a win for everyone.  You can take your phone and not worry as it costs R229, 1000s of rands cheaper than replacing your smartphone, the option to listen to music or live radio is still there and it doesn’t add much extra weight to your running bag.