Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 127, February 2020 | Page 39

being dormant, is like being an explorer finding a new map to a treasure he thought
was lost. And just like that explorer, I have set my sails anew and am venturing
back into open waters in search of lost treasure.
Joining the Masters
The South African Masters Athletics (SAMA) is an affiliate of Athletics South Africa
and offers various athletic disciplines for age groups 35 and over. Athletes who
participate in SAMA competitions can qualify for provincial and national colours,
and can go on to the World Masters Champs as well. Let the youngsters have their
moment, but we older dogs certainly can have ours, too.
PJ’S PIECE
By PJ Moses
Re-Mastering
the track
Look, it’s not every day that a 40-something runner will
have the opportunity to achieve a childhood dream of
getting provincial colours, or even national team colours, in
something they haven’t done since high school.
O
ver the last year I have
discovered quite a few
things to reignite my fire
for running and competing. The
short distance trail races which
are scattered around Cape Town,
has got me back into beast mode
whenever I hit the trails. I guess
a couple of podiums will do that
to you. Also, completing a few
duathlons has sparked a definite
interest in triathlons, and maybe
even an Ironman one day. But
the one thing that has really got
my juices flowing has been the
Masters Athletics events on the
track.
Locally, I found that Western Province Athletics puts on the Leo Benning Grand
Prix Series for Master athletes, run over the summer period, and I was in there like
a bear. I went to the first meeting of the series not knowing what to expect, but
eager to enter any race I could. The cost of entry was nominal, and for less than a
‘Street Wise Two’ from KFC, I was able to enter three events (800m, long jump and
high jump), get a temp licence and buy an age tag.
Off I went, filled with nervous energy and feeling a bit out of place, but I shouldn’t
have worried, because there was only love and jokes amongst the competitors.
I also saw a few familiar faces from the road running world, as well as a few elite
young guns using the event as training for their own season. The camaraderie
among the competitors was also very special, and I love that about our sport,
which is often seen as such a driven and competitive activity. We were all doing our
best, but we were also cheering loudly for others. Stronger together, even when
competing apart. (Tell the Olympic team that I’ve got their slogan ready.)
Look, I had no delusions of grandeur about how it was going to turn out, and I think
that also helped with the nerves. I was just happy to be taking part. The day went
well and I got through all three events unscathed, and with a big smile on my face.
I was pretty chuffed, knowing that I was rusty, but that I had the potential to reach
my goals – with a lot of hard work in between, of course.
Back in the Groove
So after two Leo Benning meetings I’ve narrowed my focus down to the 800m,
which I’ve always loved, the long jump and the 400m. I think in the year ahead, with
good quality training, that I will definitely be able to make Nationals in at least one
of those events. To keep me motivated, I’ve even challenged my brother to step out
of retirement and make a comeback. A little sibling rivalry goes a long way, and two
Bontas Boykies at the SA Champs competing in one or two of the same events will
be one for the books.
Who knows, maybe I’ll even be able to get to wear that green and gold, which all
South African athletes of every age dream about. Now wouldn’t that be a story to
tell my grandchildren one day!
As a youngster, I can remember
watching athletics on TV and
seeing greats like Johan Fourie,
Johan Landsman, Matthews
Temane and ‘Loop-en-Val’
Motshwarateu gliding around the
athletics tracks of South Africa.
Dreaming of one day following in
their footsteps, my friends and
I would then, of course, try and
emulate them whenever the school
athletics season would come
around.
I never achieved those heights
during my teens, and as I went
into adulthood, parenthood and
just getting by day to day, all those
things were left behind. So to find
them now again, after decades of
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: PJ is a former Cape Flats gangster who took up
running, and writing about it, when he turned his back on that dangerous
lifestyle in order to set a better example for his two sons. Today he is an
accomplished runner, from short distances to ultra-marathons, recently began
working in running retail, and his exceptional writing talent has opened still
more doors in his new life.
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