Norrie earns a first silver medal in his first TTOM Ultra in 1982 |
Collecting his second Blue Number in 2010 |
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Images: Action Photo SA |
included the Centurian 100-miler( every second year), 1000km Challenge( 100k per day for 10 days), Komani 200k( which I won in 1985), Ultra Triathlon, Lepping Ironman, Laingsburg 80km and Comrades Marathon.
That streak of silver medals in the Ultra was something I never wanted to break, and by that time I got my Blue Number in 1996, I was doing regular television commentary work for the SABC. I did do one or two where I finished the ultra and then joined the commentary team, but once I had my Blue Number I focused on the commentary. Then in 2000 I moved to the Half Marathon, which was still on the same day, because it allowed me to finish my race in time to do commentary in the Ultra. Some years later the Trail Run came along, and back then the Short Trail was a 10K, and designed to be a relatively easy option for people to get into trail running, so I gave it a go, and because I found both races fairly easy, I did both the Trail Run and Half Marathon on the same weekend quite a few times.
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I’ ve missed a number of years along the way, but I’ ve still got 42 Two Oceans medals – and I’ ve only been in the country for 45 years this February – so I think that’ s quite good. I know other runners will get a third Blue number, like me, but I’ m not sure anybody will do it with 10 silver medals in the Ultra. Actually, technically, I think you could say I have four Blue Numbers, as I got my Double Blue in the Half. I’ m not all that focused on records, but I am proud of my achievements at Two Oceans.
Q: Given your participation in all three races, albeit at different times in your running career, is there one that you consider your favourite?
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NW: The Ultra is by far the best – that’ s
why people do it – but you’ ve got to make a commitment there. I actually came back from UK in 1996 specifically to run my 10th Ultra, so that one was even harder, because I had to really focus on my training while back in the UK, and I wasn’ t sure I would make the silver cut-off, but I made it in 3:58:06. But that was still not my slowest or hardest run at Two Oceans. That was in 1992, when I clocked 3:58:16. That was the year I was heavily involved in the negotiation around the unification of the sport here in South Africa, working with ASA, SASCOC as well as the various provincial and student sports bodies, and it was also the year I ran Spartathlon, so it was not an easy time, physically or emotionally.
Q: If I’ m not mistaken, your involvement in Two Oceans over the last 45 years involves more than just running and commentary or media work. You’ ve also been involved in the technical side of the organisation of the event?
NW: Yes, I also measured the course many times for former Race Director Chet Sainsbury. In fact, I was the first one to ratify the 30-mile and 50km World Best times by Thomson Magawana in 1987 and Frith van der Merwe in 1988. Chet invited me down because I was also involved with the International Association of Ultra Running, or IAU, and while South Africa was not yet recognised by world sport, my measurements were. So, my route measurements were submitted to Andy Millroy, who’ s still involved with IAU, and those records were recognised and put into his book. I’ ve still got those letters and faxes that went to the IAU with those record applications.
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Q: With so many years of involvement in this event, I’ m sure you’ ve seen it change a lot?
NW: Very much so, and both good and bad. I think the Two Oceans event, like the Comrades, has gone through a bad patch, but these are just symptoms of the outdated, incorrect structures in the sport in South Africa, which in the 1990s was seen as one of the leading countries in the sport in terms of event organisation and management. The problem is these structures have not evolved since then, and that’ s why I am particularly happy to see Two Oceans appoint Stillwater Sports to organise this event.
Q: The TTOM organisers are now putting more focus on the Blue Number Club, including various exclusive offerings for BNC members. Has the Blue Number Club meant something to
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you as well through the years?
NW: Yes, because it’ s a badge of achievement, but there is so much more that they could do with the Blue Number Club. For starters, BNC members have shown commitments to the event, and at the age of 30-plus have possibly secured their professional careers and can therefore not only contribute in their specialised areas, but many can assist in identifying sponsorship or activation opportunities, too. There are some very experienced people in that BNC club, so there needs to be a greater integration of that experience in the event, through consultation with the BNC members. That’ s why I’ m so glad to see Chris Goldschmidt now serving as Chairman of the NPC Board, as he is a BNC member and his experience in the sport is massive! That’ s the calibre of BNC people we need to be tapping into.
I do, however, see room for improvement in some BNC matters. To have a restricted Blue Number tent at the finish, as we’ ve had for the last two, three years, doesn’ t help, because what the purpose of the Blue Number Club is to be attractive and welcoming, to make people come back year after year. Is that even considered anymore? I’ ve heard it said that these permanent number clubs at the big races cost a fortune, and thus need to be cut back, but I think they are actually the‘ bread and butter’ of these events. Those should be your event ambassadors – people like John Sneddon from the UK, who has come to run in South Africa every year for 33 years, and has even bought a house in Cape Town. Commitment like that is phenomenal, and sadly, it has not been properly recognised or acknowledged.
So, there is a lot that can be done for the Blue Numbers. Maybe there need to be extra incentives, like an incentive for someone who is getting older, to drop from the Ultra and go get another Blue Number in the Half. Is that something that could be done and keep the connection going?
Q: You’ ve already answered that the Ultra is your favourite TTOM race, but are there specific memories that really stand out for you amongst your 42 runs?
NW: Every event is different, and I have enjoyed them all. I specifically remember the days of running up Constantia Nek and the commentator at the top knowing and calling out all our names, and the water points, the London Town pub, the Brass Bell, all these things. Each race had its own, different rewards, and it was all great!
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