Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 101, December 2017 | Page 7

LETTERS A BLUNDER THAT LED TO A MARATHONER STANDARDS FOR MEDALS I have been running since 2015 and I enjoy running all the races, but I think that some race organisers don’t plan their medals in a good way. I just want to say that they should print the name and year on it, so that we know when and where we got each medal. Some medals are just plain – sometimes not even the name of the race! So please, organisers, motivate us with good medals. – Daniel Komako, via e-mail My running journey started in 2014 when I registered for a 21km at the PPC Riebeeck Berg Marathon. This was my first race ever and the nerves took a toll. I didn’t know the rules of this game and all I thought runners do was line up in a group and wait for the gun, then off they go. While approaching the fields at PPC, I saw a group of runners lining up, so I stopped the car (we were in a queue to the parking areas), jumped out and quickly took off my track suit, handed the car keys to my wife (then still my girlfriend) and ran quickly to join the group. The gun went off, the runners were on their way, and I tried to catch up. It was only when I noticed we were running past a 25km mark that I realised I was no longer running a 21km, but a 42km. Horrified, I thought, “Should I not quit?” But I kept going, even though almost every runner passed me. My wife even asked the ambulance to look for me, and when they found me, the driver asked, “Sir, are you okay?” I still remember raising the thumb, indicating that I was fine. The driver then drove behind me till the end. I crossed the line at 5:30 and the race organisers gave me two medals – an extra one for keeping at it and seeing the race through until the end. Medals are a touchy subject. Some runners don’t even want them, others want every medal to be unique and special, but I agree that they should at least have the race name on them. – Ed. That unplanned marathon made me realise that I actually can run a 42km. Fast forward a few years, and I ran my first Two Oceans and my first Comrades in 2017, finishing in 5:23 and 10:43 respectively. While I’m currently nursing a hip flexor injury, I’ve registered for both races again next year. That mistake in 2014 is the first thing that comes to mind whenever I stand in a seeding before a race. It reminds me of what my body can actually do, as long as I just put my mind to it. – Bongani Zungu, Cape Town Bongani, I was actually one of the race announcers at that PPC race in 2014, so part of me is really sorry I didn’t spot your race number and stop you running the wrong race, but another part is happy you did... – Ed. MY FIRST RACE It has always been my desire to participate in the Soweto Marathon race, and my dream came true when my aerobics coach handed me a 10km race number for the race on the 5th of November. Standing on the starting line with the magnitude of people, that moment was so amazing. As the gun was fired, I found myself running, and it was incredible, especially with the courage and cheering from the Soweto residents along the roadside. Surprisingly, I never encountered any difficulties along the route, and I crossed the finish line at FNB Stadium in 49 minutes. I had the most amazing experience of my life, and come next year I will participate in the long race! – Altah Mabhusu, Soweto There is something really special about your first race, and doing it at Soweto, with that incredible spirit and vibe, will stay with you for the rest of your life, I’m sure. Well done, and welcome to the running community. – Ed. Write and WIN Each month the writer of our winning letter wins a pair of new running shoes, with various brands supporting this initiative and subject to availability. The Editor will select his favourite letter each month, contact the winner to get sizing and delivery details, and then the shoes or a voucher will be dispatched to the winner. So, get writing that letter today – add a high resolution photo or two if you can – and mail it to [email protected]. 7