One of the great novelties of the race is running past the Two Oceans Ultra Marathon start line in daylight ( and with slightly less crowds ) before turning onto Campground Road , past my childhood home and Newlands Cricket Ground . I watched many great international games at the cricket ground , and it was great to see so many foreign runners at the Cape Town Marathon . From a distance , I thought these shirts said , “ Incontinent Greek Marathon Runner ,” and thus I assumed that “ Piperis Ssioutis ” was a mysterious disease of the bowels , causing long bouts of the trots . However , once I got closer , I realised it actually said , “ 5 Continents ,” and I ’ ve been assured by a Cypriot friend that Piperis Ssioutis is non-contagious .
Planting the seed for the 2022 Captain ’ s Challenge
If you have any unfinished business in Cape Town , like those infamous bridges , then I hope to see you on 17 October this year , but failing that , entries for the 2022 event are already open – you can enter here .
These international participants were fortunately not incontinent
On that note , the biggest risk when running a marathon with a tree on your back is accidentally soiling yourself . Fortunately , I didn ’ t have to disappear into the bushes . Second to “ Run , Forest , Run ,” the most common chirp from the numerous spectators along the route was “ Nice woody .” On a related note , if you ’ re wondering what happens to the trees once the race is done , Township Farmers plant them at Abaphumeleli Place of Safety in Khayelitsha ( which ensures a good upper body workout after spending all day on your feet ).
The ultimate branch manager plants another tree after the race
Unfinished business at Cape Town Marathon ?
Final Thought : If you ’ re wondering what running a marathon with a tree strapped to your back is like , I can tell it ’ s really not that bad . I guess you could say that the bark is far worse than the bite .
Siya later … Hopefully on 17 October 2021
It ’ s always a great day out at Africa ’ s ‘ big city ’ major , the Cape Town Marathon . Running with the # MovingForest made this one of the most fun and memorable marathons I ’ ve done ... and it ’ s much better to run with a tree on your back than a chip on your shoulder !
Better a tree on your back than a chip on your shoulder
Of course , no marathon is complete without a beer at the end – for me , anyway – and I was fortunate enough to get invited to the hospitality tent and rub shoulders with the organisers and running elite . It was great to have a quick chat to race chairman Francois Pienaar and point out that he has more Rugby World Cups wins than Cape Town Marathons completed . ( Perhaps a 2022 # CaptainsChallenge ?)
About the Author
The Running Mann has run over 240 marathons and ultras , and his current mission is to run every marathon in South Africa . He recently fulfilled a lifetime goal of securing a shoe sponsorship from The Sweatshop Broadacres and Asics South Africa ( and a running kit sponsorship from Runderwear ), thus allowing him to run more races and share their stories . You can follow his adventures on Twitter , Facebook or Instagram , and on his popular blog .
Images : Martin Mulder , Nolene Conrad & Courtesy Stuart Mann , Siya Sokomani
18 ISSUE 145 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021 | www . modernathlete . co . za