Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 118, May 2019 | Page 25

ROAD RUNNING
From
Outback
to Boston
When a relieved but very happy Ayesha Specker of Cape
Town finished her maiden Boston Marathon this April in a time
of 3:26, she realised a childhood dream, born many years ago
when she still lived in Australia. – BY PJ MOSES
A
sk Ayesha Specker to tell you about the last few minutes of her 2019 Boston
Marathon experience and she can tell you in graphic detail exactly what she
saw, heard and felt. That’s because she had visualised it so many times in her
head in the lead-up to the race – and for many years before that. “The last 500m of the
race was something else. A right turn onto Hereford Street, left onto Boylston, which is
the home stretch, and where you can see the finish line and the crowds of people lining
the sides. It was amazing!”
“I was sore, tired, and my legs felt like lead, but halfway down that street of screaming
people, I heard my mum, her boyfriend and my husband Sacha scream my name.
They were a big part of my journey, every step of the way. My husband was incredibly
supportive during my training. Regular leg massages and lots of pasta meals before a
long run, and he cycled with me on all of my long runs so that I wasn’t alone. Sacha
saw me struggle and he saw me smile, and he is my number one fan after my mum.”
“My mum has always been a big supporter of my running, even when I was a little
girl running cross country at school. She used to drive me to all of my track meets
and would always love to watch me do a sprint finish. It was extra special for her to
come to Boston. She always said that if I qualified she would come and watch. She
had constantly messaged me and checked in on me as I prepared for the race. In
fact, people I’d never met messaged me to say how my journey to reach my goal was
inspiring them to achieve their own goals. Knowing that really filled me with joy, and I
got seriously emotional as I approached the finish, but it gave me the kick I needed to
get to the finish line. It was a pretty special moment for me and my loved ones.”
Outback Toughness
Born in Australia and growing up on a farm in the outback, Ayesha had plenty of
space to play. “I was a bit of a tomboy, riding horses, quad bikes and having lots of
adventures with the boys, my brother and my cousins. I sometimes think that I learnt to
run before I could walk, and I have always loved it.” She first heard about the Boston
Marathon when she was at her Dad’s house as a young girl of about 12 years old.
“We watched the race on the TV, and it was compelling viewing to see the way the
competitors pushed and struggled during the race, but eventually came out the other
Final leg-loosener for Ayesha in
Boston before the big race
25