Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 109, Aug 2018 | Page 7

LETTERS I told my friends that I am aiming to do a marathon, but they said I will never make it, that my back wouldn’t take that pounding. Well, things got better and this year in March I did the Deloitte Marathon. I finished it in 5h40min, and I cried when I came through the finish. My back was fine, just my ankles and legs were sore. My friends and family were so excited, and it was a great achievement for me. – Karon Jarman, Durban I love it when somebody decides to prove the doubters wrong that said you can’t do something. Hats off to you for not just getting back on the road, Karen, but going the extra mile! – Ed. FEELING DISILLUSIONED After years of wanting to run the Spar Women’s race and many unsuccessful attempts to convince anyone to run it with me, it finally happened in 2015. I was in agony for an entire week, but that did not stop me, and since then I have run a collection of races, ranging from 5km to 56km, successfully completing most. This year I attempted my first Comrades Marathon, with a lot of anxiety and excitement. It was tougher than I imagined and although I did not complete it, what an experience! However, everyone I spoke to mentioned that nothing compares to the support and camaraderie at Comrades, but I am sad to say I did not see or experience that. The runners are impatient, and I can understand why – there are cut-offs to make, and I find that instead of this bringing people together, we have become impatient with each other. (To be fair, I found this not only with Comrades, but with the other races as well.) generally the spirit amongst Comrades runners is usually incredible. I also kn ow that all race organisers strive to make sure every runner, from fastest to slowest, is looked after just as well, but sometimes water tables can run low on stock late in the day. I’m sure the organisers will note where things ran short and make sure it doesn’t happen again, and hopefully future runs will be more enjoyable for you. – Ed. MIXED FEELINGS AT THE FINISH I think the new Comrades Marathon Down Run finish in the Moses Mabhida Stadium has pro’s and cons. I loved running into the stadium and experiencing the bowl-like atmosphere, but it did seem very strange having supporters on one side only. Still, it was electrifying in there. However, the rest was horrible. Standing around packed like sardines as we waited for our medals, then shunted ‘underground’ into the bowels of the stadium, unable to find anything, and having to climb stairs at the end of what felt like a marathon walk. No, I did not like that part of the race at all! – Pat, via e-mail I was at the finish all day and saw a few of the things you write about, but I think the CMA got it mostly right this first time in the stadium – and it will be even better in 2020. – Ed. My further disappointment was at the watering stations. Is the intention and purpose only to cater for the fast runners and too bad for the slower ones? If so, my appeal to the organisers of all races is that we all register and pay to participate, so afford us the same luxury you afford the faster runners. Please make sure that there are refreshments at the water stations for all the runners, both fast and not so fast. – Margaret van Rensburg, Johannesburg I think you may be right that the size of such events and the tension surrounding cut-offs can affect the way people interact on the road, but Slight traffic jam at the Comrades finish Online Entries | Race Office | Race Marketing | Live Timing and Results www.peaktiming.co.za | [email protected] | Grant 082 468 0195 SELECTED UPCOMING EVENTS: 4 th Aug 2018 10 th - 12 th Aug 2018 RACE MANAGEMENT FROM START TO FINISH 19 th Aug 2018 2 nd Sep 2018 4 th Nov 2018 7