Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 145, Sept/Oct 2021 | Page 25

SAYS sport man says by MANFRED SEIDLER

SPORT MAN

SAYS sport man says by MANFRED SEIDLER

Is Running Back ?

South African runners are chomping at the bit after 18 long lockdown months . They want to run real races again … Not virtual events , but real , flesh and blood , human interaction races . They want to have that post-race coffee , or beer , and that boerie roll , as they catch up with mates . And if the powers that be do it right , we may just get our races back soon .

Across the Atlantic Ocean and to the north , we are bracing ourselves for 42 days of ‘ marathon mania ’ as the Berlin Marathon on 26 September starts the “ racing season .” That will be followed by the London Marathon ( 3 October ), Chicago Marathon ( 10 October ), Boston Marathon ( 11 October ), Amsterdam Marathon ( 17 October ), New York Marathon ( 7 November ) and Valencia Marathon ( 5 December ). Berlin will host 25,000 runners , London a spectacular 50,000 , Chicago 35,000 , Boston 20,000 , New York expects 33,000 finishers and Valencia is looking at 18,000 runners . On the other hand , the Tokyo Marathon has been postponed to March 2022 .

Images : Courtesy Cape Town Marathon
So , racing is ( mostly ) back . Except here in South Africa . Until the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon ( SCTM ) announced it will have a full in-person race on Sunday 17 October with 10,000 runners . The SCTM will send runners off in batches of 300 in one-minute intervals , and a slight route change has had to be made to ensure there is no chance of those runners returning , bumping into those still on the way out , and as such , causing potential ‘ mass gatherings .’ So , is running in South Africa back ? Are we all systems go ? Unfortunately , the short answer is no .
Stringent Measures
The SCTM was only able to confirm that a 10,000 ‘ real ’ race could go ahead after some extremely stringent measures were imposed . The small staggered batches and ensuring no finish line gatherings are allowed are just two of them , but SCTM went a step further . The race will be paying for the polymerase chain reaction ( PCR ) tests of every single entrant in the 10,000 field , the quick test that can detect signs of the virus .
That ’ s a game-changer , but raises all sorts of questions . How can other races that do not have the kind of budget that the SCTM has , host races if paying for PCR tests is what is now expected ? And is that what is expected ? Fortunately , the answer is no , this is a measure that the SCTM came up with from their side , and this mass testing is made possible with the backing of the City of Cape Town , which promotes sporting events to bring tourists ( and much-needed revenue ) to the City .
But what about other races , and road running in general ? What can Athletics South Africa ( ASA ) do to make the return to running come about quicker ? Are there measures they can insist on that each race abides by to ensure Government sees that it is possible to return to running ?
One Simple Solution
I believe that ASA can implement one absolute requirement for a race to take place . It would not be the only safety measure – for example , social distancing plans still
Avoiding bunching on the route will be essential for the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon
The start of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon will be very different this year
need to be in place – but this one option will make Government understand that ASA is serious about getting the sport up and running again , but without being irresponsible , while also helping to promote the national vaccination roll-out . In fact , a couple of race organisers have already said they would insist on this ruling for their events , of their own accord . And it ’ s actually quite simple .
The big marathons that are coming back all have something in common . To enter , you either have to be fully vaccinated against COVID , or you must produce a negative PCR test no later than 72 hours before the race start . It is non-negotiable . So here is a thought – and I know some will not agree with , or like this option – but ASA should , in my opinion , make it compulsory that everyone who wants to line up for the start of a race in South Africa must be vaccinated .
Already , precedent has been set in the corporate world , with Discovery saying that employees will need to be vaccinated should they wish , or be required to , work on-site . Meanwhile , The Rage Festival for matriculants – yes , that Ballito one that caused a super-spreader in 2020 – will be going ahead in Ballito and Plett in 2021 . And there , too , it will be a case of no vaccination or negative PCR test , no entry ! This is going to happen more and more , and this is a solution for ASA to bring back road running .
Now I know some will argue that this infringes on their right to choose to be vaccinated or not . No , it doesn ’ t , because no-one would be forced to get vaccinated … but the choice of not to vaccinate would come with consequences .
About the Author
Manfred Seidler is a freelance sport journalist who has been in the industry since 1994 , in both print media and broadcasting , covering four Olympic Games for SABC Radio , and producing various athletics shows for the SABC . Follow him on Twitter : @ sportmansa ; Facebook : Sport Man SA ; Instagram : sportman _ sa .
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