LETTERS
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EDITOR ’ S PICK
LET US RUN OUR MOUNTAIN
SANParks management have stated that they are concerned with conservation and would prefer it if no events were held in Table Mountain National Park ( TMNP ). While they don ’ t actually cancel events , they have made it so difficult for event organisers , and so cost-prohibitive , that events eventually get cancelled . Here are two examples of this .
Since 1998 , the Victoria Hospital fundraising Tokai Forest 15km race was organised by Foresters Running Club . There was traditionally no entry fee charged and runners gave a voluntary contribution of either money or a soft toy for the Victoria Hospital Children ’ s Ward in Wynberg , which cares mainly for Aids babies . Annually , this fundraiser donated up to R50,000 to the ward . Runners stayed on the forestry roads and carried their own water to ensure minimal disruption to the forest . With
Sadly , the Table Mountain Challenge 16km is no more … the SANParks permit levy charged , the organising club reluctantly cancelled the event , as the levy fees would amount to approximately R185 per runner . This is above the WP Athletics entry fee cap of R90 ( 2020 rates ) for 13-20km distances , excludes disadvantaged runners from the event , and runners would be hard-pressed to still contribute towards the children ’ s ward .
Since 1978 , the Table Mountain Challenge 16km organised by VOB was run on the jeep track and concrete road from Constantia Nek . It was a fundraising event for SANParks Volunteer Rangers & Mountain Patrol Dogs . Runners stayed on the route and carried their own water to ensure minimal disruption to the pristine mountain . With the prohibitive SANP permit rules of a maximum number of 200 runners and no start or finish allowed at Constantia Nek , in addition to the R20,000 levy fee , this race is unable to continue . The traffic and safety concerns introduced by not being able to use the Nek carpark area as start and finish as well as the R185 per runner left no margin for contributions towards the Volunteer Rangers & Mountain Patrol Dogs .
We hope that the new TMNP Manager will encourage public participation on our mountain , whilst understandably balancing the environmental impact of any events . – Andy Davies , Cape Town
I can remember running both of those races as far back as the late 1990s or early 2000s , and both were awesome races , so it is sad to see them fall away . I have also worked in for a conservation organisation , and know it is really hard to protect and conserve the natural environment , especially one as sensitive as the Cape Floral Kingdom , which the Table Mountain National Park forms the cornerstone of . It ’ s an emotive debate for me from either side , and I don ’ t have the answers , so I can but echo your hope that the management of the TMNP will find ways to accommodate the running community . – Ed .
A WASTE OF MONEY ?…
I still don ’ t know why we went ahead and renewed our Western Province running licenses at the beginning of this year , when signs were already there that there would be no races this year . Think about it , the first two races of the year , the Bay to Bay and Beachcomber , were both cancelled on race day . That to me was a sign ! – Mthobisi Sihluku , via Facebook
Those two cancellations had nothing to do with COVID-19 , but definitely added to a rather dismal year on the racing front . We can only hope that races will return sooner rather than later , and that we will get our money ’ s worth out of our next licence numbers . – Ed .
STRANDED ON 99 ( FOR NOW )…
During February this year , I was well on my way to my 100th parkrun . On my way to the parkrun on 7 March for my 99th parkrun , I realised I had forgotten my barcode , but decided not to go back home to get it , as there would be plenty of opportunity to complete my 100th in the coming weeks .
I duly completed my 99th parkrun at Hermanus the following weekend , on 14 March , but of course , I was unaware that that would be it for the moment . So , like a cricketer stranded on 99 not out at the end of the innings , I look forward to when parkrun reopens , to score my century . – John Michael Sterban , Hermanus
Hats off to you for getting to 99 not out , and I hope to see you clock over to 100 in the not too distant future . Just like you , I am waiting with baited breath for organised running events to reopen , because I also have a few target runs or races I want to go do . – Ed .
Images : Sean Falconer & courtesy parkrun
6 ISSUE 133 SEPTEMBER 2020 / www . modernathlete . co . za