ROAD RUNNING
In Memory of Munchie
Three years ago well known back-of-pack runner Keith Solomon lost his great running friend Malcolm Marks , and every step he runs these days is in memory of their incredible friendship .
– BY PJ MOSES
Keith often does races alone these days , whereas he and Malcolm were inseparable in previous years
Every runner soon finds people who share their passion for running when they get into this sport , but the really fortunate ones make actual friends who become more than just ‘ sole mates ’ on the roads or trails . That is why from the moment Keith Solomon met his late friend Malcolm Marks at a race , they were inseparable . “ We used to call each other ‘ Munchie ’ and always had a lot of fun during races ,” says Keith . “ Malcolm would do silly things like try and hide behind a lamp pole or come up with funny definitions for road signs along the route .”
There was no distance that the duo would not take on , and their encouragement of one another helped during the tougher sections of ultra or multi-day races . “ We always supported each other in our running . Sometimes Malcolm would do more mileage than me and at other times I would do more than him , but there was never any envy or competition or anything like that .”
Taken Too Soon
Sadly , their long running partnership was broken when Malcolm suddenly passed away in 2015 , a week after what would be their final run together . “ I couldn ’ t believe it . We were still planning what adventures we were going to try after his retirement , which wasn ’ t far off . He was looking forward to travelling overseas for running , especially to run on the Great Wall of China .”
At first Keith found it hard to return to running following Malcolm ’ s passing , but eventually he decided to continue , because that is what his friend would have wanted . And every step would be in memory of their friendship . At the multi-day circuit races that both loved so much , Keith stuck to their agreed total of 50km per day , even though he could do more . “ I didn ’ t want to do any more than what we used to do together , and I would usually finish my total distance with a day to spare .”
“ I finally broke this mourning period of the past three years at a recent six-day race in Germiston , when I did an extra 50km to finish with a total of 350km . After that last lap , I looked up and said , ‘ Munchie , this one was for you !’ Now I want to organise a multi-day race in Cape Town , as a way of remembering Malcolm . I know that he would look down on us with a smile and shake his head saying : ‘ Look at these moegoes !’ That will be a really special race for me .”
Mind Over Matter
Keith has always been active , playing soccer and hockey , and venturing into cycling – he is a nine-time Cape Town Cycle Tour finisher – before the running bug bit in 1998 . He originally joined Atlantic AC , then ran for Hewat AC , Pinelands AC and Central AC before ultimately returning to Pinelands . In that time , he has attempted
Two Oceans and Comrades many times , successfully finishing Oceans once and Comrades twice , but he prefers the challenges of the circuit races . “ There is so much opportunity to test yourself and the mental side of the races are very tough . To get up every day and do a marathon or more is not easy on your body or your mind .”
He averages about two races a week and will do anything from 10km up to whatever distance is on offer , but he has had to be a bit more careful in recent times after developing a condition known as Athletic Heart Syndrome ( AHS ), or ‘ Athlete ’ s Heart .’ This means the heart is enlarged , and the resting heart rate is lower than normal . “ I only discovered this after fainting during a run at Rondebosch Common . The doctors struggled to find what caused me to faint , but after many inconclusive tests , they asked me what I do to keep busy and I said I ’ m a runner . Then they smiled and said , ‘ Ah , you have Athlete ’ s Heart !’ At first , I thought they were taking the mickey out of me , until I googled it and found that it is a real thing .”
Keith says he prefers simplicity to complications in his life and in his running . “ I don ’ t have a special diet and I don ’ t use supplements . My shoes are neutral , with a minimal sole . When I run now , I don ’ t overexert , I just run at an even and slow pace from start to finish . I only have two speeds : Slow and stop ! Yes , I run a lot , but I don ’ t believe in punishing myself , because running is about the joy , not the pain . That ’ s why I always tell people to check the fine print on the entry form , because I am sure it states that the bailer ’ s bus is included in the entry fee . I make use of the bus when I feel like it , to relax and get full value for my money ! And when people ask me what training programme I follow , I just say I run every weekend and rest in between . Simplicity .”
Keith does nearly every race on the calendar , including cross country events
Images : Ashraf Mallick , Gerhard Fourie , Kanakana Mushanganyisi , Keith Linderoth & Moegsien Ebrahim
18 ISSUE 109 AUGUST 2018 / www . modernathlete . co . za