LETTERS
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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