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super-spreaders . In Japan there was one single infection from over 780 events involving over 699,000 competitors in the period from July to October . Meanwhile , there was one single infection from the recent World Half Marathon Championships in Poland , and even that was possibly from a later event .
The fact is that the start of an event poses the highest risk , and if screening and social distancing are applied there , then the risks quickly diminish . Runners then literally become ‘ moving targets ’ - much harder to hit , so to say – as the field thins out over the race distance . The finish is also low risk , providing the runners are kept moving out of the race area . The same applies to cycling . Now compare running or cycling races to other static mass gatherings , with the same number of people . Even when in areas or venues that allow social distancing , people tend to gather in groups for long periods . Clearly then the risks of concerts and social gatherings are greater than a race , where the contact potential is shorter and there is constant movement .
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The Way Forward is Exercise
This week Britain established three new levels of activation , with sport a feature , because they recognise that participation is essential to people ’ s health , and therefore improves their immunity and resistance to the virus . Vulnerability is not based on gender or age , it ’ s based on health , fitness and co-morbidities . ( Anyway , ageism , like sexism and racism , is prohibited in the South African constitution and cannot be used to discriminate in regulations .) Therefore , sitting locked up at home , or restricted from exercise , increases vulnerability .
So , with exercise being one of the strongest weapons against the virus , we need to be promoting exercise and events , which is why the communication to get back to correctly processed and approved events is vital not simply for the sport , but to the immunity
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of the nation . Also , the greater risk is that even a previously active nation can become couch-bound and obese due to fast food , sugar , over-eating and drinking , and then , irrespective of age , we will have a challenge that could overwhelm our medical resources . So , we need to be working towards solutions , starting with getting our event going again .
Stand Back from the Elephant
As a sport we tend to overlook the bigger picture of our current structure . ASA is financially sustained by three primary sources of income : ( a ) Sponsorship , including the annual licences , ( b ) TV and broadcast rights for major events , and ( c ) lottery and similar funding . The extension of validity of 2020 licenses to the end of February 2021 is an attempt to provide some of the lost exposure to the license sponsors . Meanwhile , without events , there will be fewer licenses sold and less value , and without major events there will be reduced broadcast rights .
Perhaps this income drop in 2021 will not be that serious at national level , but provinces have already felt the impact of income loss in 2020 , and it has eaten into their reserves just to survive this year . Their situation is set to get severely worse in 2021 if events do not start back soon . This is because provinces rely on the 10 % of each race entry fee to be able to function . Some receive support from provincial government sports bodies , but the majority are solely financed from events , so no races means no income , which means no salaries , and thus limited administration , and then the sport starts to implode .
Internationally , events tend to be organised by commercial companies who have forced their way back to putting on events because their business would fold if they don ’ t host races . This is the primary reason that trail running events are being held now in SA , even when ASA considers them to be illegal . Companies will be prepared to take on the legal battle
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over the restriction of trade rather than face a total loss of income .
Here , most of our road running events are organised by clubs , but there is currently little incentive for clubs to host events . Most clubs do so as a service to the sport , and to raise funds to assist their members in projects during the year . It is not a commercial business , and currently clubs and individuals tend not to be as motivated to take on the vast work required to host an event . But unless the sport starts to appreciate and sustain the benefits of these club events , and of the provincial and national structure , the sport will collapse , and then commerce will pick up the pieces . The view away from the elephant is worrying , and one we all need to see … because if nothing is done soon , the strength of club running will quickly be lost .
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About the Author
Norrie represented Scotland and Great Britain in numerous ultra-distance events , then emigrated and represented South Africa in triathlon . He is a World Athletics-accredited coach and course measurer , and travels all over the world to work on events , including the Olympics . He has been appointed by World Athletics as Technical Delegate to a number of the world ’ s leading Label events in Africa , Asia and the Middle East . He has authored two books ( Everyman ’ s Guide to Distance Running and Every Beginner ’ s Guide to Walking & Running ), and counts 21 Comrades medals amongst his more than 150 ultramarathon medals . You can read more from him at www . coachnorrie . co . za .
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Images : Action Photo SA , Paul Hamberger , Tobias Ginsberg & courtesy Bay to Bay 30km |