Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 127, February 2020 | Page 27

RACE WALKING
improved male athlete, before joining current
club, Tygerberg AC. He later even found
himself serving on the club’s committee for a
couple of years, but says his focus is not on
administration, but on active participation.
Man
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Few athletes are able to cross over from walking to running
and back again, but capetonian endurance junkie Reggie
Crowster often chops and changes between the two
disciplines as he chases the mileage in races. – BY PJ MOSES
W
hile many runners start their running journey with plenty of walking,
Reggie Crowster actually started with just walking. He was first
introduced to the sport at the Cape Town Big Walk back in 2000. The
former Kuils River native, who now resides in Parow, says he was never the sporty
type while growing up, but when he walked his way to that first medal, there was
never going to be any turning back. “I didn’t know that I was capable of doing long
distance races, but when I saw all age groups of people doing it, from young to
old, I told myself that if they can do it, then I can do it too. Turns out it was the best
decision I could have made.”
Reggie soon tried his hand at running as well, and to this day he still competes
in both disciplines. He spent the first few years competing in the colours of
Bonteheuwel Athletic Club, tackling his first Two Oceans Ultra in 2002 and his first
Comrades the following year. He went on to win the club’s annual trophy for most
That saw him sign up for the 1000km Challenge,
and he now regularly travels all over the country
to participate in races, including marathons and
ultras as well as multi-day circuit races, where he
uses a mixture of walking and running to amass huge
distances. He now has 17 Two Oceans Ultra medals to his
name, and has officially finished the Comrades six times. In recent
months, he has also been doing exceptionally well in circuit racing, winning the
Run For a Child 12-hour event in the Cape, with a distance of 86km covered,
and also finishing first in the Johannesburg Running Festival, where he covered a
massive 700km in 10 days!
Biggest Disappointment
Now with many, many races behind him, Reggie says the sport has brought him
many good times – if you’ll excuse the pun – but they have also brought some low
points, notably at the Comrades Marathon in 2007. As many runners know, missing
a cut-off along the way is bad enough, but what hurts more is missing the final 12-
hour cut-off by just a few seconds, having run the whole way. Reggie has felt that
pain, and says it is still clear in his memory, even after all these years. “That was
definitely my lowest moment in this running journey, missing the Comrades cut-off
by just two seconds. I was the second person home after the shot went off, and it
still breaks my heart.”
That said, if you don’t have those bad days, you can’t fully appreciate the good
days, and there are few better feelings than earning a podium position, or running
an unexpected PB. “One of the standout race memories for me has to be the time
that I did the Peninsula Marathon in 3 hours and 17 minutes. I was very surprised
by the outcome, and my new PB. Also, good performances at the Beaufort West
Half Marathon, Mandela Freedom Run, and of course, my first place finish at the
2019 Run For a Child 12-hour race, are special moments that I will cherish forever.”
Doing Things His Way
Apart from his running and walking adventures, much of Reggie’s day to day life
is filled with working at a book printing company, and the rest of his free time is
spent at home with his family. “I live with my Aunt and other family. They have been
very supportive of my journey, even though they have not felt encouraged to join
me just yet. My faith also plays a big part in my life, and I also watch a lot of sport
talk shows on TV, as it is always good to learn from other’s experiences.” He’s
got a creative side, too. “I am pretty much a homebody, but I also love being the
decorator for various functions, like weddings and birthday parties. It is something
that I find much pleasure in.”
However, it is running and walking that remain his biggest passion, and just as
most runners have a bucket list race or two, Reggie is no different. “I am 57 years
old, never been married and quite happily single, with no kids, so I don’t see a
reason why I should not be able to tick off a few more things from my bucket list.
I would love to do a race or two overseas. Many Cape Town runners seem to be
doing it now, and it looks like a lot of fun. I have ventured beyond the border before
and did the Victoria Falls Marathon. I was not disappointed, because it was an
amazing experience.”
“I have learned quite a few lessons over the
years of running and walking, and my
advice to newbies would be to keep
on believing that you can finish
the race, even if it doesn’t feel
like it. Don’t get swept up
in the atmosphere and
vibe of a race – it is
nice, but it can throw
you off your race
strategy, and that
can end in tears. So
rather just stick to
your own pace and
as they say, run or
walk your own race.”
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