ROAD RUNNING
“ In the past , there was always something to train for , so there was no chance to take time off for an operation , but now I had the time do the rehab properly , and it seemed the ideal opportunity to fix the problem after 16 years .”
Irvette ’ s career wins include three Soweto Marathon titles
Brit ’ s time is currently recognised as the IAU World Record , American Des Linden recently lowered that mark to 2:59:54 in April , although this time is yet to be ratified by the IAU , pending the standard confirmation process for new records , including dope testing results coming back .
Let the Record Reflect …
The 50km record is admittedly a somewhat complicated topic , as the world-leading times for the 50km distance are treated differently by World Athletics ( WA ), the global governing body for the sport , versus the International Association of Ultrarunners ( IAU ), which is an affiliate of World Athletics and oversees all ultra-distances . WA only recognises World Records at distances raced officially at its World Championship events , which until 2019 did not include 50km ( but did include 100km ), hence the men ’ s and women ’ s leading times for 50km are listed as WA World Bests , whereas the IAU considers them IAU World Records . However , the first World Championships for 50km were held in 2019 , under the IAU label , and thus there is a good chance 50km will soon become a recognised WA World Record distance .
At the time of the Nedbank Runified 50km , the IAU confirmed that Des Linden had not yet submitted paperwork for her record to be ratified , whereas the organisers of the Nedbank Runified 50km immediately sent in the paperwork for Irvette ’ s time , as well as that of Ethiopian Ketema Negasa , who set a new men ’ s IAU World Record of 2:42:07 by beating the even longer-standing mark of 2:43:38 set by SA ’ s Thompson Magawana in the 1988 Two Oceans Marathon . Therefore , there is a very good chance
that Irvette ’ s time will be ratified as a new IAU World Record first . Obviously , Irv is very pleased with the new record , even though she said she was not sure she could run it .
“ I think I knew I could run under Alyson Dixon ’ s time , but coming from Sienna , I wasn ’ t sure if I had had enough recovery time yet , plus I had flu after the SA Half Marathon Champs . I thought it may be overreaching to go for the record , so thought focusing on the pacing would be best , and the record was not on my mind …. until I actually started the race and felt so good . Afterwards , I told LJ that if the race had been longer , I still would have been able to keep going . It was just one of those days you get four or five times in your career … and it would be stupid not to use them !”
As for him being disappointed that she carried on past the 30km mark , Irv says as soon as he heard about her race , he was very supportive . “ I thought if I arrived home with a big cheque in the hand , I can bribe him to let me back in ,” she jokes , but then turns serious again . “ I only spoke to him three hours after
Irvette ’ s Record Run
Click below to watch the video of Irvette coming home to break the IAU World Record in Gqeberha in May .
Images : Reg Caldecott & courtesy Nedbank Running Club
16 ISSUE 142 JUNE 2021 / www . modernathlete . co . za