TRACK & FIELD
That ’ s an absolute understatement , especially given the long break from racing during the pandemic lockdown . In the steeplechase event , Ashley ran a solo 8:34.36 and missed improving his 8:33.60 PB by less than a second . Then he ran the Dream Mile , officially lowering his track PB from 4:10.11 , followed a week later by a 3:39.63 PB for 1500m , shattering his previous best of 3:43.31 . In both the latter races , he was pushed all the way in sprint finishes and had to dip for the line to win the races . “ Lot of up-country runners came down for those meets , and I have always said , to be best , you must race the best . It proves yet again that strong competition leads to faster times ,” says Ashley .
“ My Dad said the Sunday before that I ’ ll run 3:58 , and I am proud to be the first WP athlete since 1997 to run a dream mile . I was only a few months old then ! Well done also to Maxi Chaumeton , and thank you to Ruchen Blaauw for pacing us . They deserve credit for what happened that night , too . And Endurocad did a brilliant job – they hit the ball out the park . We were also really blessed with great weather for most of the meets , but my only regret is that the steeplechase was a solo run . I think that with more competition I would have beaten my PB . Honestly , though , I ’ m making sure not to get carried away by the PBs , as it is still early in the season , and there is still a long year ahead . At the end of the season , I will look back on these races and reflect , but for now , I ’ m only looking ahead , because there is a lot of hard work ahead .”
Weighing Olympic Options
Speaking of looking ahead , Ashley has his sight firmly set on the Olympics , and thus is hoping to go race in Europe in order to find still stronger competition in depth , which he hopes will push him to faster times , and the required qualifying mark to make the SA Team for Tokyo . “ I ’ m planning to go to Europe as soon as possible , if COVID allows , and the racing I ’ ve done in SA in the last few weeks was meant to sharpen me up for that . I raced seven races between the end of February and end of March – I know that ’ s quite a lot of racing in a short time after the winter training phase , but my coach said these times are uncertain , so I should take the opportunity to race and see where we are ,” says Ashley , who is coached by 3000m steeplechase SA Record holder Ruben Ramolefi .
“ I ’ m definitely aiming for the Olympics , if that ’ s what God wants for me , and if can get there , I believe I can make the final , and in a final , anything can happen … Also , there are not many steeplechasers who can go sub-four in the mile , and sub-3:40 for the 1500m , so I believe that puts me in strong contention for the steeplechase , which remains my focus . The Olympic qualifying standard I need is 8:22.00 , and I ran a solo 8:34 the other day , so if I can go race it in Europe , I believe I can get that qualifier .”
On the other hand , Ashley ’ s 3:39 in the 1500m puts him seemingly closer to that event ’ s qualifying mark of 3:35.00 , and he says he has been asked if he will consider targeting the shorter event instead . “ I saw people commenting on the live feed of the Endurocad meet that I should switch to the 1500 , but in my mind , I am a steeplechaser , so the idea hadn ’ t even entered my mind to switch . But if I get the 1500 qualifier time before the steeplechase , I will go for it , because every runner wants to be an Olympian . Just getting to the Games is such an honour .”
Hitting the Books
Ashley ’ s path to chasing an Olympic berth began 24 years ago in Cape Town . He grew up in Mitchells Plain , which he still calls home , and having shown great promise in schools athletics , he earned a one-year scholarship to go study further in California in the USA . He was subsequently offered an extended bursary , but decided to return to South Africa . “ I chose to come back home because I want to be an inspiration for the people in my area . In America there are so many resources available that will make achieving your goals easy , but I chose the hard road because I think it will make me a better athlete ,” he says .
Upon his return he enrolled at the University of the Western Cape ( UWC ) and after doing a one-year bridging course , began studying for a BA degree , with a triple major in English , Political Science and History . “ I ’ m now in my final year , and after that I ’ m thinking about going into teaching , as I want to give back to my community . It would give me a platform to coach young athletes , and plough back my knowledge of running through coaching . But I could also see
With support from new sponsor Under Armour , Ashley is more determined than ever to chase his Olympic dream
44 ISSUE 140 APRIL 2021 / www . modernathlete . co . za