THE ED ’ S DESK by SEAN FALCONER
the ed ’ s desk
And We ’ re Back !
As I sit down to write my Ed ’ s Letter for this 134th edition of Modern
Athlete , I can ’ t help telling you that I am finding it hard to contain my excitement , because in just under two weeks ’ time I will be on the mic once again at a race . It will be the first time I have done commentary since the weekend that lockdown began , and I am thrilled that the races are slowly coming back . Yes , we still have COVID restrictions and regulations – and probably will have for quite some time , too – but putting that commentary booking in my diary was one of the most satisfying things I have done this year ! ( Right up there with my first run out on the roads after the Level 5 hard lockdown ended .)
The upcoming event is the Jonkershoek Mountain Challenge ( JMC ) trail event on Sunday 8 November , organised by Wildrunner Events . It runs through the majestic Jonkershoek Nature Reserve , just outside Stellenbosch , where I grew up . I have run in the Jonkershoek Valley many times , and part of me wishes I was going to be joining the runners to share the wonderful fresh air , the tranquil peace of running alongside the Eerste River , and the stunning views of the valley and mountains , but hey , somebody has to send the runners on their way and welcome them back to the finish . As they say , it ’ s a tough job …
And there ’ s more good news , because the following weekend will see the Wildrunner crew putting on another event , this time part of their Trail Series , so that will be another stint on the mic out at Oak Valley near Grabouw . Besides the fun I will be having on the mic , what I am looking forward to most is seeing running friends and colleagues that I have only seen on Facebook since March . It ’ s going to be interesting to see how many names I can still remember , but I ’ ll get there eventually .
No packed starts just yet …
Things Slowly Getting Going Again
On a related note , there is definite movement in the running event domain at last , now that ASA has finally issued regulations for events to once again take place as from 1 November . In terms of road running , trail running , cross-country and parkruns , a maximum of 500 athletes will be allowed , with only one refreshment station allowed per race . Very important is that only licenced athletes will be allowed to enter ASA events , but since trail running and parkrun events do not employ the ASA licencing system , I must assume this rule will only be implemented at road running or cross-country events .
Given that ASA rules stipulate that an event must supply athletes with water at minimum every 5km , and only one refreshment station is permitted , this would point to the fact that no race longer than 10km can take place … unless , of course , a looped course is used , which theoretically then means that even 100 milers can take place . On that , I see there are already a small number of half marathons and 15km races on the national calendar sent out by ASA with its Circular 48 , which lists all the regulations for the next two months . Nevertheless , most of the races thus far on the calendar appear to be 10km in length , but after seven months of no races , I think the running community will be only too happy just to have some races back again .
These regulations will be in place for November and December , and will be reviewed at the end of December , and it is very important that all runners learn and stick to the rules . Potentially , it could just take one runner ignoring rules and thus endangering others , for the sport to be shut down again ! Nobody wants that , so don ’ t cut corners , folks , and don ’ t try to be clever . Also , race fees are undoubtedly going to be higher for the time being , as race organisers will be dealing with extra COVID costs compounded by smaller fields , so I think we all need to understand that things will continue to be different for a while .
Hey , at least we will be able to run some races again . It ’ s a big step in the right direction for normality to return to the sport , and it ’ s up to all of us to make it work . In the meantime , hope you enjoy the read this month , and I hope it inspires you to lace up your running shoes and hit the roads , trail or track . Run on , friends .
Sean Falconer
Images : Kelvin Trautman , Mark Sampson & Mo Bassa
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ISSUE 134 OCTOBER 2020 / www . modernathlete . co . za