MANN the running mann by STUART MANN
My memories of running marathons in Ermelo have for a long time been clouded by the coal smoke from this industrial town when I ran the Gert Sibande Marathon in 2016 , and in my detailed race calendar of April marathons , I based my description of the Highveld Marathon on my previous Ermelo experience : “ Nothing pretty about this route . Your stock , standard small industrial mining town marathon past mine dumps and coal smelters .”
The Highveld Marathon has given me a new outlook on Ermelo
THE RUNNING
MANN the running mann by STUART MANN
An Unreserved Apology to Ermelo
I ’ m a bit behind with writing up the race reports of some of my 2024 races – I ’ ve been rather busy writing investigative exposés about certain races in recent months – but here ’ s one from April , when I ran the Highveld Marathon in Ermelo … and I have to begin this race report with an apology . Marathon # 265 / Unique Marathon # 161 / 6 April 2024
Off to Ermelo
Fellow travelling marathoner Julian Karp and I made the two-and-a-half-hour drive from Joburg on the Friday afternoon through some wet and rainy conditions . When we arrived at our B & B , Julian leapt out the car and added to the condensation , as his bladder strength is inversely proportional to his running grit . Whilst checking in , I noted that our spinster host was giving Julian some special attention , which might have been because her HD security cameras had been pointing directly in Julian ’ s ‘ line of fire .’
The race has a luxurious 7am start , which allows those from neighbouring towns to conduct their marathon commute in the light , and with the event taking place in early April , the weather was also quite pleasant for marathon running . The start and finish are right outside the Body Strong Fitness Gym in Ermelo , with the gym ’ s changerooms providing the facilities for runners to complete their pre-race routines in relative luxury .
Furthermore , under the “ What to do there ” section , my tourism advice was , “ Check out the coal mines before they all disappear .” This is unfair , unjust and untrue – and I apologise unreservedly for this erroneous description . ( Unlike the Boards of several major races in South Africa , I will readily admit when I am wrong .)
With so many bullocks around town , the marshals did well to wave yellow instead of red
I am still not sure what else there is to do in Ermelo , but I have just updated the description to read , “ This is a small field ( runner-wise ) / big field ( agricultural-wise ) out-and-back route in Ermelo . You are into the countryside within the first kilometre and it ’ s rolling hills , beautiful landscapes and bulky bullocks over the rest of the undulating route .”
The 7am start allows those from neighbouring towns to get there in the daylight
Local Attractions
Once we were underway , I noticed that prize bulls are a big part of the Ermelo landscape . This boy in black ( above ) was looking on curiously at the passing marathon runners . On that note , I was very pleased to see that the marshals were waving yellow flags rather than the traditional red ones – although there might have been a few more PBs if that were the case !
The refreshment tables were all organised by local businesses and organisations , with plenty of friendly faces , food and drinks , and many of them put in extra effort to make their table stand out , and ensure that our run was a memorable one . Of note was the Gateway City Church table at 9km to go , who decorated their gazebo with an impressive array of running shoes . I did enquire if I could pick up a fresh pair of takkies , but unfortunately , they didn ’ t have my size .
24 ISSUE 172 | www . modernathlete . co . za