Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 148, Jan 2022 Jan 2022 | Page 30

The finish line of the Comrades Marathon can sometimes look more like a packed start !
COVID regulations . Should the science and medical communities recommend to drop ‘ track and trace ,’ with isolation reductions , it will offer race organisers a welcome reprise from the screening , temperature testing and data-capturing , all of which delays and complicates registration and early morning race day arrivals .
While several options have been tried with regards to vaccination and test status of entrants , for both race collection and race morning , most of these were initiated in times of stricter control . Organisers can ’ t be expected to get involved in the science , medical or political debates around COVID , but should rather design their event logistics around the least onerous stipulations that gain acceptance by both the authorities and the running public .
Fortunately , those involved in races in the pandemic period have evolved a ‘ toolbox of options ’ to comply with COVID considerations . For most events , it has been shown that after the gun has been fired for the competitive runners , a range of wave , staggered or rolling starts ensures that spacing far exceeds the required social distancing – greater than in an average mall , or on a beachfront promenade on a sunny weekend morning ! which would , strictly speaking , mean they fall under the jurisdiction of the Safety In Sport Act of 2010 .
This is now spilling over into a cherry-picking approach by some returning club events , which opt to use the allowed increase in refreshment table spacing , but will then disregard the self-collection rule , or the recommendations on more expensive types of drink containers . Also , they may pay scant attention to race day screening regulations , but continue to lay blame to COVID for the higher entry fees being charged .
Worse , some organisers have knowingly omitted to measure and certify their courses , despite prenotification of inaccurate courses in some cases , following the helper ’ s run . The very basics of road running is the competition of one or more persons covering an accurately known distance in an accurately known time . It ’ s that simple . And an uncertified event is illegal under all athletics authorities .
Staggered or rolling starts will be necessary to avoid the packed start of the Two Oceans Marathon
COVID-compliancy certainly can require the relaxation of some standards , while increasing control of others to minimise risks of infection . However , if we want to see our sport return to the previous high standards it was generally known for , the very basics of road running cannot be eroded simply for the benefit of clubs , or individuals . After all , every South African has seen and experienced the long-term effects of a gradual erosion of standards and the ‘ rule of law .’
There is a case to be made for a total review of race standards and requirements , but for now , reopening and regaining the sport starts with every club and every provincial body adhering to current standards … otherwise the minor relaxation today will be a loss of credible performance tomorrow . Unless we are happy for our sport to degenerate to a fixture list of fun-runs and open club runs , compliance with standards set in the rules of World Athletics , ASA and the provinces must be total , not selective .
Furthermore , the initial ASA stipulation only allowing a single refreshment station per race has been removed , so spacing of stations can return to the normal rules – as often as every 3km . which further promotes overall spacing of the field , although runners must still practise self-collection or self-filling , in order to prevent potential transfer of the virus .
Compliance , Not Convenience
As the sport attempts to return to a new road running norm , the only cloud on the horizon appears to be that some clubs are utilising COVID as a convenience to get around or save on standards . In other words , some events are being selective in their implementation of basic established standards , debatably whether for convenience or commercial gain .
As the pandemic continued , we have seen traditional club runs evolve into pseudo-events with a fee or cover charge , and with invitations extended to nonmembers as well . Some of these runs have become a source of income for venues , companies and even individuals , both over road and trails , and many now run a fine line between a training group and an event ,
About the Author
Norrie represented Scotland and Great Britain in numerous ultra-distance events , then represented South Africa in triathlon . He is a World Athletics-accredited 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 .
Images : Tobias Ginsberg & Courtesy Comrades Marathon
30 ISSUE 148 JANUARY 2021 | www . modernathlete . co . za