ROAD RUNNING
Vaylen on the Cape Trails, in
the 2019 Two Oceans Trail Run
(left) and the 2018 Sanlam
Peace Trail (right)
VK: True, I don’t get to run as often as I would like
to, and I definitely don’t do half as much cross-
training as I should, but I think I’m fortunate to
be in sports, because it’s not quite like being an
entertainment presenter. I think if I was on the red
carpet every weekend, there would be far more
emphasis on image, but I don’t feel that there is that
pressure on me. Also, I think these days there is a lot
more consciousness around people looking healthy,
and people embracing who they are. The general
psychology of society is changing and evolving.
but actually what it means to athletics in the country,
because it’s creating a legacy that’s going to live on
for many, many years. If you remember a couple of
years ago, one of the biggest criticisms about South
African road running was this huge focus on ultra-
marathon running, which is not an Olympic distance,
and we had Olympic quality athletes moving up to
the ultras to chase the prize money on offer, which
affected their ability to run for the country in shorter
distances, including the marathon. It’s races like the
Cape Town Marathon that now give those athletes
a world class platform on home soil to compete at a
recognised Olympic distance, and our athletes are
really starting to step up.
really big award ceremonies, like the South African
Sports Awards, the PSL Awards, and the GSport
Awards, and dressing up comes with the territory, you
know, but I do enjoy it. It is such an interesting debate, because I think that
South Africa has been in a league of its own when it
comes to ultras, which is why people come from all over
the world to run ultra-marathons in South Africa, and
because we give those athletes proper credit for their
efforts. It’s something that Camille Heron mentioned,
that she was astounded at the reception she gets in
South Africa, and that she’s more recognised here than
back in the United States. I don’t ever want us to lose
that, but I do think in the past you had athletes opting to
go longer too soon, when they could have focused on
the marathon or shorter distances.
MA: Getting back to the Cape Town Marathon MA: On a related note, you’ve got the SPAR
MA: That said, there are a number of pictures
of you online where you’re on the red carpet,
and you do seem to enjoy the dressing up part
of the job.
VK: It’s wonderful to have been asked to host some
broadcast, what are your feelings as a
broadcaster about the event’s rapid growth
and the excitement around marathon running,
versus the traditional focus in South Africa on
ultra-marathons? I would assume you would be
exceptionally excited about this event, because
it’s something new to sink your teeth into.
VK: Definitely, but it’s not just the fact that it’s
wonderful content for us to broadcast, and the
spectacle of an IAAF Gold Label status event, in the
same league as your Berlin and New York Marathons,
Women’s races and the FNB City Series races
bringing top international talent to South
Africa and lifting standards at the shorter road
distances. You must be excited about that as well,
even if you’re not directly involved in broadcasting
these events?
VK: Yes, it’s fantastic to see internationally
recognised distances with strong international
fields, good prize money and media attention. It
creates a much more competitive environment and
that brings out the best in our athletes, and we’ve
seen throughout sporting history that the better the
competition gets, the more athletes step things up.
MA: Those races aren’t broadcast by the SABC, but
as a broadcaster, would you like to see those races
getting the same kind of coverage that Comrades,
Two Oceans, Soweto and Cape Town get?
VK: I think the fact that we know about these
events, and the fact that we talk about them, is
incredibly powerful. Yes, it would be wonderful if
we did put them on TV, but at the end of the day
there are time constraints, budgetary constraints,
and all those kinds of things. But it would be
great to see more road running in general on TV,
especially given the rich heritage of road running
in this country... and not just road running, but also
other running, like cross country, and track and
field. One of the saddest things is that we don’t
get to see more track and field in this country,
because we’ve got amazing athletes, but they’re
not being seen. Athletics Alive on the SABC covers
track and field and does a great job, but I think if
there was more live coverage, then we’d also see
committed sponsors getting involved in track and
field, helping to create a level of consistency and
grow the sport.
MA: Getting back to your own running, do you
get that FOMO feeling while covering races from
the studio?
VK: Absolutely, all the time! And after each race, I’m
super inspired, so I just go put on my shoes and I go
running, because you feel like you’ve missed out.
MA: So how many races do you manage to fit in
these days?
VK: It’s very sporadic, very much all over the place,
a bit like my training. As I’ve said, I just love running,
so it’s always part of my life, and I always take my kit
with me wherever I go. I’ll get out on the road or trails
wherever I am, but I don’t have a set training regime,
and I don’t have set races that I do. I have certain
things that I look forward to doing that fit in with work
travel, like this Sanlam Peace Trail Run, or the Two
Oceans Trail Run, but otherwise I just decide close to
race day that I will go do a local race.
MA: Lastly is there a bucket race you still want
to do?
VK: Yeah, one day I want to hear Frank Sinatra
12
12
MC for the
Comrades
Jeppe Marathon
Marathon | 9 February 2020
Association
being blared over the speakers at the start of the
New York Marathon. That’s top on my running bucket
list, but other than that, I don’t think I have another
specific race that I’d like to like to run. New York is
the one.
probably only get to go running sporadically.
On a related note, do you find there pressure
on you as a TV personality that you supposed
to live up to some expectation about fitness
and appearance, or do you think it’s a bit more
relaxed these days?