This is potentially a new dawn for running in SA
While it is true that there is a need for endurance training for marathons and ultras , the winner is not identified purely by how many kilometres they run , but rather their potential is set by how fast they can run a mile , or 5000m . The faster you can run the mile , 5km or 10km , the faster your ‘ cruise ’ pace in low heart rate endurance training and the more kilometres you can cover at this training pace in an hour . Since the average club runner with family and work commitments can only train around 10 to 12 hours a week – if they are still to have sufficient recovery time – it means that the faster your cruise pace , the more kilometres you can cover in your peak training , which will now be the three weeks of July and first week of August .
Different Outlook by Clubs
Around 50 years ago , most clubs held races to contribute to the sport by providing regular racing opportunities . There were very few clubs , and so a club like Savages in KZN , or Celtics in Cape Town , would hold up to six events each year . It was seen as a service to the sport . However , as the number of clubs has increased , so too have the races , and now most clubs will host only one , perhaps two , races a year , with the objective of raising funds to assist or reward club members with events , awards , trips and incentives .
Today there is a greater focus on the commercialisation of the sport , which has seen the number of events increase dramatically , with over 1400 races across the country in 2019 , and the first six months of the annual calendar are particularly packed as the running community makes the most of summer and builds up to the Comrades . Now , in late 2021 , the uncertainty of COVID regulations and the revised date for Comrades has seen many clubs apply
An August date could be a big step forward for the Comrades Marathon ! for two or even three dates in 2022 , as ‘ insurance ’ against more cancelled dates and lost revenue , as well as trying to take advantage of the extended Comrades qualification period .
The entire national fixture list should be resolved by the various provinces at the end of November , and it is hoped that the August date for Comrades will create a better distribution of races and distances over the year , and that the ‘ duplicate dates ’ booked by some clubs will fall away to allow more clubs to fit in their races .
Benefits of Road Running
As we are all too aware , COVID has had a devastating impact on South Africa as a whole . Besides the tragic loss of lives , the already frail economy has been shattered by 19 months of shutdown , employment has reached unprecedented heights , tourism has been cut off at the knees , and millions of citizens have been put under extreme physical and psychological stress .
It also needs stating that a person ’ s health is one of the greatest weapons in the fight to ward off COVID , and the fact is that , based on 10 factors that include obesity , diabetes , blood pressure , anxiety , smoking , drinking , and even the amount of funding spent on the health system , South Africa is ranked as the unhealthiest country on the planet by the Indigo Wellness Index . Our COVID deaths stand at over 70,000 from a 59-million population , while Egypt , which has a 100-million population , has only recorded around 25,000 COVID deaths . It is our high level of co-morbidities that has resulted in this high number of deaths , so anything that can improve physical and psychological fitness assists not only in the short term , but also in the long term .
While the running industry has experienced a boom in sales of active gear during the pandemic , as many people have taken up running or hiking to keep fit and healthy ( and sane ), the formal side of the sport of road running has also been badly affected by the pandemic , with most road races cancelled outright for much of the last two years . However , road running can have positive impacts on the economy , employment , tourism , mental health , and more .
Advantage Running
For starters , having a well-constructed fixture list that constantly allows and promotes progression , from short achievable distances up to longer events , or faster times , provides incentive for people to improve their overall health . As part of this , the move of Comrades to August , and three months after the probable Two Oceans date , means both events , plus the growing Cape Town Marathon in October , could turn them into quarterly main goal events .
Augmenting these long-distance events with the likes of the ABSA Run Your City Series events , which have earned World Label status , will bring greater focus to the sport , both locally and internationally , and this mix of world class elite performance and mass participation will be an attractive combination for host cities , sponsors and media .
Major events are also known for the economic boost they generate for local commerce . Even small 500-runner events can put food on the table for a community , but events such as Comrades , Two Oceans , Cape Town Marathon , Cape Town Cycle Tour , Midmar Mile and Ironman attract thousands of families and boost local and international tourism coffers . Up till now , events have tended to be concentrated in the first six months , which inevitably meant that people missed out on some of the events . New dates and better spacing will allow more people to participate , and to be able to afford to travel to more events , which will be a win for all stakeholders .
The Bottom Line
The decision by ASA and the Comrades Marathon that it should be held on Sunday 28 August may have a few drawbacks , or may be unpopular with some people , but overall , this is potentially the greatest revision for our sport in half a century . Now we just need the clubs and event organisers to understand and capitalise on this opportunity .
About the Author
Norrie represented Scotland and Great Britain in numerous ultra-distance events , then represented South Africa in triathlon . He is a World Athleticsaccredited coach and course measurer , and travels all over the world to work on events , including the Olympics , where he has been part of four Olympic Marathon measurement teams . 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 20 Comrades medals amongst his more than 150 ultra-marathon medals , as well as multiple wins at distances from 100km to 1000km . You can read more from him at www . coachnorrie . co . za .
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