RACE WALKING
Bobby Kennedy is given a much-needed foot-rub by wife Ethel after his 50-mile hike in 1963
Brakpan and Back
It was all John F Kennedy ’ s fault that I tried to walk from Joburg to Brakpan nearly 60 years ago , but what a memorable trip it turned out to be . – BY JANE BRAMLEY
In early 1963 , the young , glamourous American President found a 1908 directive from President Theodore Roosevelt that all officers and men of the US Marine Corps should be able to hike 50 miles ( just over 80km ) in 20 hours . Kennedy , who had a vision of getting Americans fit and active again , sent the order to a senior Marine officer , asking whether modern Marines would be able to do this , and suggesting he would see if members of his White House staff would be able to do it .
His younger brother , Attorney-General Robert F . Kennedy , rose to the challenge , and on 9 February 1963 , set out to walk 50 miles along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath . He had done no training and wore ordinary leather shoes as he trudged through snow and slush in freezing conditions . Although his aides dropped out at about 35 miles , Kennedy persisted and finally passed the 50-mile mark 17 hours and 50 minutes later .
Bobby Kennedy ’ s venture sparked a craze that swept the world , with people of all ages setting out to walk 50 miles . In South Africa , the Rand Daily Mail ( RDM ) got involved , sponsoring the Rand Daily Mail Big Walk . Walkers could either do 50 miles from Johannesburg to Pretoria and back , or from Johannesburg to Brakpan and back . The RDM provided each walker with a reflective label , and hundreds of volunteers got involved as well . In February and March of that year , every Friday and Saturday saw scores of people setting off from the RDM offices in Main Street in central Johannesburg .
Decision to Sign Up
I was a first-year teaching student , studying at Wits and living at a Johannesburg College of Education residence . The Big Walk craze captured our imagination , and a group of us decided to tackle the hike from Johannesburg to Brakpan and back as a Rag stunt . Those of us who were in residence had to get permission from our parents to take part . My mother told me I was crazy , but if I wanted to do it , she wouldn ’ t stop me . My father just raised his eyebrows and sighed .
So one Friday evening , a crowd of us set out to walk , first to the RDM offices and then to Brakpan . We were all in festive mood , singing as we walked . The group soon split up into smaller groups , as the levels of fitness varied wildly . Darkness fell and we soon had to put on the sweaters we had been wearing tied around our waists . And then the pain started …
In my infinite 17-year-old wisdom , I was wearing flat court shoes and a pair of borrowed rugby socks . I thought the socks and the methylated spirits in which we had bathed our feet that afternoon would protect me from blisters . I was wrong . I also discovered that I had muscles that I had never known I had . My bottom hurt , my back hurt , even my shoulders hurt . I didn ’ t know what to do with my hands , which became swollen .
I ended up walking with a girl from my residence . We didn ’ t know each other very well before we set out , but that walk was the start of a friendship that has lasted nearly 60 years . We encouraged each other , told each other our life stories , and were thrilled when we finally reached Brakpan , where there were tables laid out with bread rolls and soup . We rested for a while and then started our homeward journey .
The Lure of the Lift
Unlike Bobby Kennedy , I didn ’ t complete the Big Walk . There were cars driving backwards and forwards all night , acting as sweepers , and taking walkers back to the RDM offices . We had just got to Benoni when one of these cars came past and offered us a lift home . We didn ’ t think twice , just crawled gratefully into the back of the car . Our driver was particularly kind , and instead of taking us to Main Street , dropped us at our residence in Braamfontein . We had walked for about nine hours and had covered about 40 miles .
The following morning , we were up at six o ’ clock to go into central Johannesburg and sell Rag magazines . I think I sold two . I was so stiff and sore that I could barely walk , and by the time I had hobbled up to a car , the traffic light had changed and the car was gone . Eventually , a strange woman told me I should be in bed . “ What a great idea ,” I thought , and grabbed a lift back to residence the next time the College Kombi came by to deliver more magazines .
For the next few weeks , while the craze lasted , it was easy to pick out the students who had tackled the Big Walk – they were the ones who had to walk sideways when they went up or down the Great Hall stairs . A number of my fellow travellers completed the Big Walk in the required time , and they will always have bragging rights , but even though I didn ’ t finish the 50 miles , I will always have fond memories of that crazy night . And I still have my friend .
About the Author
Jane Bramley is a former journalist . In 1995 , she moved into sports journalism when she was appointed Sports Editor : Radio News at the SABC , and in 2007 she became the cricket writer at the South African Press Association ( Sapa ). Since her retirement , she has focused her attention on netball and the SPAR Women ’ s Road races . In August this year , she was inducted into the gSport for Girls Hall of Fame , in recognition of her efforts to promote women in sport .
Image : Courtesy Life Magazine
44 ISSUE 146 NOVEMBER 2021 | www . modernathlete . co . za