Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 100, November 2017 | Page 18

ROAD RUNNING
What a
Year!
If there is one runner likely to agree with the old saying that
“life begins at 40,” it is Ulrica Stander, especially given the
amazingly successful year the 43-year-old Capetonian has
enjoyed on the road after moving up to the marathon distance
and beyond. – BY SEAN FALCONER
A
fter seeing her running take a major dip in 2015 due to long working hours on top
of raising two kids, 2016 saw Ulrica return to the type of form that had given her
personal bests of 35:25 for 10km and 1:17:34 in the half marathon. She won the
Peninsula Half Marathon and claimed the series title in the veteran category of the Spar
Women’s Grand Prix, and along the way she was recruited by the KPMG Running Club, and
signed up with a new coach in Lindsey Parry. That saw her decide to make her marathon
and ultra debut in 2017, and the podium positions have come thick and fast since.
“I was actually very grateful for my performance at Two Oceans, because my training was
a bit up and down, and I felt I hadn’t been able to focus properly. I went out with the four-
hour bus, then at 23km pushed on a bit with my clubmate Renier Grobler and a guy from
Boxburg, but I went through the marathon mark feeling a bit tired. They say Oceans only
really starts there at the bottom of Constantia Nek, so I had to dig deep to stay positive
when the sub-four bus went past me. What kept me going was the incredible energy of
the crowds lining the route, and I remember smiling all the way down the home straight as
I came in. It really was a privilege to run such a wonderful race.”
Then in September Ulrica lined up for her second standard marathon at the Sanlam Cape
Town Marathon, and in spite of severe stomach issues, improved her PB to 2:54:09 as she
finished 14th and once again claimed top spot in the veteran category, added the Western
Province Champs title for good measure, and posted the fastest marathon time by an SA
veteran woman in 2017. “I was aiming for 2:50, but I think the gel I took at 25km reacted
with my stomach and I struggled for the rest of the race. I was still ecstatic with my time
and position, but I know I can go faster.”
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ISSUE 100 NOVEMBER 2017 / www.modernathlete.co.za
It started with a third position in the NutriBullet Bay to Bay 30km in January, where she
was also first veteran over the line in 2:02:35 as she went beyond 21km for the first time.
After running the Red Hill 36km as a training run, she then won the Peninsula Marathon in
February, posting 2:58:45 on debut to take both the overall and veteran titles. Two months
later she stepped things up at the Old Mutual Two Oceans 56km, clocking 4:02:45 and
claiming an incredible sixth place (and second veteran) in her ultra debut.