Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 126, January 2020 | Page 12

temptation wasn’t there, which
was good. But it just never
made sense to me to see how
all the other athletes would
race week-in and week-out.”
This is a philosophy that
Stephen is at great pains
to share with the next
generation of athletes, and
he is always willing to spend
time with them, be it at talks
or if they approach him to
‘pick his brain’ for advice. “It
is important that they learn this.
We have so much talent in South
Africa, but we must just learn to
race and prepare properly.”
Dominant Force
notably Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei, who ran the
fastest 10km time ever on SA soil, clocking an all-
comers record of 27:16, as he successfully defended
his title in 2018. He was absent from Durban in 2019
due to his focus on the World Champs 10,000m title,
which he duly won to go with the World Cross Country
title he won in March that same year.
This opened the door for Stephen to take the win in
Durban in 2019, but he says he is looking forward to
racing the best again this year – and he is predicting a
really fast time for himself: “27 something, definitely.”
With the race in July, when Stephen should be
close to peak form thanks to his Olympic Marathon
preparation (if he agrees to go to Tokyo), and over a
fast and flat surface with generally perfect weather
conditions, his ambition of breaking his own SA
record cannot be discounted.
One thing is certain though: Stephen will not be
chasing a ninth SA Half Marathon title in 2020. “No, I
have done my duty there. It is time for someone else.
It is also close to the Olympic Marathon, if I go, so I
won’t defend my title.” While that makes sense, it is a
big blow to the event. It does, however, open the door
for a new name to come forward.
Stephen has arguably had more success on
the roads than on the track, notwithstanding his
incredible amount of track titles, but nothing trumps
records and positions at international level, and there
he clearly shines more on the roads. Ironically, though,
he says he enjoys the track more. “I love track; the
roads, not so much, which makes it strange that I am
better on the road.”
When Stephen races in South Africa, it is clearly
apparent from his demeanour when he lines up,
compared to that of some of his contemporaries, that
he is the boss. He has an aura of invincibility, and one
can almost sense that the rest are racing for the minor
positions. Of course, his pedigree warrants that, but it
remains an incredible sight to watch how he controls
things at the front of the race.
He also races with a plan, talking to his training
partners and even some of his rivals, controlling how
the race is approached. Elroy Gelant is probably the
most notable exception to this, with an aggressive
racing style that really takes the race to Stephen. In
most cases through the years, though, it has been
Stephen who has come up trumps. At the 2019 SA
Half Marathon Championships, for example, footage
clearly shows just how Stephen controlled the race in
Winning the FNB Cape
Town 12 ONERUN
the early stages, holding back those who were eager
to hare off. It was only after 15km that the racing really
started to unfold between Stephen, Elroy, Precious
Mashele and Joel Mmone. In the end, only Elroy
was able to mount a sustained challenge, but he too
succumbed to Stephen’s power and pace.
Future Prospects
Even though Stephen acknowledges that he is nearing
the end of his career, the wily campaigner has still
mapped out the next four to five years. This includes
opting out of the World Half Marathon Championships
in 2020. “I won’t go to Poland, because it will be too
much. Last year I ran six races; this year it will be
only five. After the 2021 World Champs in Oregon, I
will retire from Championship racing, and race only
select races that earn me an income. I may try for
the Olympics in 2024, but I will have to see how the
body is shaping up. After all, I will be 39 then, so
we will see. But after 2021, definitely no more World
Championships for me.”
However Stephen decides to approach the next five
years, one thing is guaranteed, that he will approach
them in the same meticulous fashion as his entire career
has been structured. But with ambitions of SA Records
burning as fiercely as ever, do not be surprised if 2020
delivers more than one new national mark, and wouldn’t
it be fitting if it is the long-standing marathon record
that falls. Then Stephen would own the full complement
of road records, providing a fitting end to a remarkable
career that definitely places him amongst the all-time
greats of SA athletics and road running.
At 34, Stephen is well aware that his competitive
career is gradually drawing to a close, hence his
policy of racing sparingly, but this is actually the same
philosophy he has followed since the beginning of his
career. And it has clearly paid off – 30 national titles
and 28 times donning the green and gold of South
Africa bear testament to his shrewd training and
racing schedule!
Stephen says this philosophy was partly motivated
by his running peers and heroes, including Hendrick
Ramaala, with whom he regularly discusses his
marathon plans. “I learned from others, including
Hendrick, but it is something I have always believed
in. I remember when I was still in the Vaal Triangle
area and hearing of all these fast times being run
by athletes in Gauteng. I was scared when we got
to SA’s, but I beat them. I was fresh. There was
less opportunity to over-race in the Vaal, so that
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ISSUE 126 JANUARY 2020 / www.modernathlete.co.za
Smart Racing Philosophy