LETTERS
Have Your SAY
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EDITOR’ S PICK
KIDS WILL BE KIDS …
I’ m leaning on the fence at the start of the SA Cross Country Champs, watching kids line up for an age group race, remembering all the times I stood on that same line as a child. So I’ m soaking in these fond memories when the starter steps on the course.“ Ok,” he says, trying to address 120 young boys at once.“ I’ m going to fire the gun, but this is not the start of the race. This is a five-minute warning for the start. Do you guys understand?” Hundreds of little eyes stare back at him. Some of them nod.
He tries again.“ I’ m going to fire the gun now, but this is not the start of the race. It’ s a warning. You must not run. Do you guys understand what I’ m saying?” He gets a few more nods, but nothing near sufficient, and most of the kids are looking straight through him or staring at their shoes.
He pulls the trigger, the kids hear the bang, and I swear I’ ve never seen feet move so fast. Fortunately parents were on hand to stop the madness, and all ended well, but the starter learned a valuable lesson today. Kids don’ t listen. And I’ m still laughing! – Wesley Botton, Johannesburg
I burst out laughing when I read this anecdote written by fellow running journalist Wesley of the Citizen newspaper. Just had to share it with you all, with his permission. I had a similar experience at a kiddies’ fun run on the Green Point Promenade in Cape Town some years back, trying to control a massive crowd of littly runners bussed in for the run. We got them started, but when some of the slower kids saw other kids coming back on the first loop section, they simply crossed the grass and shortened the route. Total chaos! – Ed.
He tries once more, this time in Afrikaans.“ Hierdie is net‘ n waarskuwing. Julle moenie hardloop nie. Hoor julle?” The kids realise he’ s not leaving, so most of them nod. But I’ ve seen nods such as those, and this guy is far too confident in his ability to control 120 young boys who are itching to run.
I turn to a colleague.“ They’ re gonna run.” He nods in agreement. We are transfixed now at what is almost certainly a futile attempt to stop kids from doing what they came here to do. The starter, as satisfied with his efforts as any foolish man may be, points the gun in the air. By this stage I’ m more anxious than the kids. They’ ve gotta run. It’ s been a long day and I need a laugh.
FAMILY TIES
Dear Sean, a few months after Comrades and I decided to forward you this short letter from my wife, Elize. You had us as family and friends in tears when you commented in your video when Claus, our youngest son, brought in the 11:45 bus in the Durban stadium. You were great and made it so special. Hope you can use the below for other families to get inspired and do the same. From a very proud husband and father. – Dr Abé Kempen
A DREAM BECOMES REALITY
I never anticipated that I would one day start or finish the Comrades marathon, and certainly not with both my sons on either side of me. I did not compete in sport at school or when I was younger, and only bought my first pair of running shoes in 1999. I walked and completed my first Comrades in 2000 with a time of 11 hours and 12 minutes. In 2018 I had the absolute privilege to complete my sixth Comrades at the age of 65, together with both my boys.
After sustaining a bad back injury earlier this year, my eldest son Abé( 41) undertook to look after me during the race, while Claus( 34) was allowed to take the 11:45 Comrades bus. We started the race in Pietermaritzburg with the sweeper vehicle on our heels, but we formed a daring team in an unforgettable race and crossed the finish line in the dark with a time
Images: BackTrack Sports, Jetline Action Photo & courtesy Marleen Frunt van den Akker
6 ISSUE 111 OCTOBER 2018 / www. modernathlete. co. za