Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 108, July 2018 | Page 6

Have Your SAY LETTERS Got something on your mind that you want to share, a burning question you want answered, or a good story to tell? Then send it to [email protected], and add a pic if you can. Letters should preferably be no more than 300 words long, and pics must be high-resolution to be usable in print. (Note that letters may be shortened due to space limitations.) EDITOR’S PICK PAYING TRIBUTE TO YUSUF… Where do you find the words to honour and pay tribute to a remarkable man like Yusuf Abrahams? He always had a smile on his face, loved life, and never took things too seriously. “Just have fun,” he would say, and with a twinkle in his eye he would make jokes on the road. But when the going got tough, he would pull in the reigns, and in his strong but gentle way, guide many runners to finish their first marathon, Two Oceans, Comrades or 100 miler. He had an unwavering inner strength and sense of self, and was a beacon that inspired, motivated and empowered others to achieve so much more than they ever believed was possible. As one of the runners said at his funeral, “I’m sure he’s giving the angels some training tips!” He was one of the first pacesetters, long before it was formally introduced in the races, and the runners always wanted to be in Yusi’s perfectly paced bus. The reaction and amazement on faces was priceless when he walked up Chappies or Inchanga and still brought the bus in within two to five minutes of the predicted finish time. I was privileged and honoured to know him for 18 years, and we ran side by side in more than 100 marathons, 50 ultras and many stage races. There was never a dull moment, and he always had my back. He was a true gentleman, kind, humble, tolerant and well respected by all who crossed his path, and always prepared to help wherever he could… He was so much to so many people, a coach, mentor, colleague, devoted family man… but to me, he was my best friend, and I will miss him every day. He left an amazing legacy that will live on forever in the hearts of the many lives he touched, a true legend. Yus, I salute you, your star will always shine bright… Shukran… InshaAlla. – Mine Swart, Cape Town The late Yusuf Abrahams I had the great fortune to also run with and work with Yusuf, notably when I recruited him as an official Pacesetter many years ago, and I too miss him greatly. I was devastated to hear of his passing, because he was one in a million. – Ed. In your April 2018 edition, Bongani Mangena mentioned that prize money in most road races is too low. The problem is that race organisers have to pay for traffic control, water and cool drinks, apart from costs to advertise the race. Even if they have sponsors, this will usually only just cover items like prize money and T-shirts or other goodies handed out at most races. Forcing small races to hand out large prize monies will therefore kill the road racing calendar. People who love running will do it mostly for the experience, and 99% of a running field does not compete for the prize money in any case, while parkruns have grown in numbers not because of prize money on offer. To paraphrase, “If they love it, they will come.” Prior to athletics changing from its amateur status, the overall depth of quality of racing in SA road races was far superior to the times run today. There were no monetary prizes in road racing or athletics. In those days the mines, Defence Force, Police and universities contributed a lot to the development of runners, who ran for honour and love of the sport. These days, most of the money generated by ASA and the provincial branches goes to administration fees and salaries, a function that was mostly done on a voluntary basis in the old days, for the love of the sport. 6 ISSUE 108 JULY 2018 / www.modernathlete.co.za The prize money offered at most road races these days has relegated cross country and track (once the breeding ground of top distance and road athletes) to the back-burner, and caused a slump in depth in quality runners. The distance runners are mostly over-raced, running for the prize money up for grabs, as it is a means of income. There is also a glut of these races, making racing for money weekly detrimental to the overall running quality. The major money offered at ultra-marathons has also led to the deterioration of quality in our RACE MONEY