Image : Courtesy Nedbank Running Club
A sub three-minute kilometre surge at 35km released Stephen Mokoka from the small pack of elite runners who spearheaded the attack on the World 50km Record on 6 March in the Nedbank Runified 50km race in Gqeberha . It was ‘ game over ’ from that point , with Stephen crossing the line after 2 hours 40 minutes and 13 seconds of running , which carved almost two minutes off the inaugural mark of 2:42:07 set in last year ’ s race .
The Nedbank event offered R1.25 million in prize money , which may be less than Comrades and Two Oceans , but along with the World Athletics Elite Label status , now makes this race the most prestigious ultra on the planet . Further to this , within hours the news of the World Record was rocketing around the planet to over 200 national federations linked to the World Athletics website , and thanks to ASA ’ s new broadcast deal , shown in 35-plus countries around Africa , North Africa and the Middle East . It ’ s a totally different level compared to either Comrades or Two Oceans , which have traditionally been viewed by a mere four to five million local viewers , and followed by a handful of passionate ultramarathon geeks ( like me ) outside South Africa .
Essentials for Success
The organisation of record attempts must be meticulous , from the elite invites to the technical detail . Over and above the timing , officiating , doping standards and ratification , Stephen ’ s shoes were in my custody immediately after the race for delivery to ASA , then on to Switzerland , for assessment to ensure no unfair advantage was gained in the record !
OUT OF THE BOX out of the box by NORRIE WILLIAMSON
Performance vs Backstage
It ’ s the Performance that is the star of racing , but the Backstage is just as key , and should still take a bow .
We therefore really need to raise our hats to Nick Bester , Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Nedbank , and a dedicated , passionate team at Eastern Province Athletics , who collectively go to extreme lengths to ensure that the athletes enjoy the best opportunity to achieve greatness .
Of course , events like this require both the athletes and backstage to be 100 % on song ! As viewers , we watch athletes appear to glide into the history books , but only those familiar with race organisation will truly identify with the preparation detail . For starters , no athlete can gain a world record without at least two other competitors . No performances are recognised without accurate measurement and timing . It is the race management who bring this together .
No event can attract the elite athletes without finance and sponsorship , and no sponsor is interested without return on investment through media coverage and interaction . As the level of performance increases , so do the costs of athlete recruitment . Often the prize money in label events is much less than the flight , accommodation and appearance costs . The faster they go , the more expensive athletes become , because it ’ s about performance . The performance is the star !
Time for a Rethink
For decades , Two Oceans and Comrades have claimed iconic or ultimate status , and three decades of sporting isolation allowed that belief to evolve , at least in the cocooned environment of South African road running . The size of the race and era of professionalism brought money , but at the end of the day , the two races have ( thankfully ) not changed much from the basic traditions of racing 56km and around 90km . They do , however , require a total overhaul in vision and implementation to gain the world recognition that the Nedbank Runified has gained in just two years .
The exceptionally welcome news of ASA ’ s new broadcast deal with SuperSport will open these events to a much bigger audience , and potentially more sponsors , but the reality is that until both technical and performance levels improve , they will remain races of mass participation , not performance .
As more men achieve a sub-2:08 marathon performance each year – 130 did it in 2021 , despite COVID-19 – there will be an increasing ‘ market ’ of retiring and slower athletes who could consider the ultras . However , with World Labels , World Records and World Championships recognised at both 50km and 100km , these events and distances could become more attractive , whereas Comrades and Oceans will remain homes for the passionate and traditionalists , unless they acknowledge the future , starting with evolution of medical and technical standards , and expectations around both invitations and appearance , prize and incentive monies .
Meanwhile , breaking the World Record will catapult Stephen Mokoka from one of the world ’ s relative ‘ also-ran elite ’ athletes to a new level of recognition . His name starred around the world on Sunday , because the performance is the star … but it ’ s the backroom stagehands , as well as the other competitors , that enabled the performance to be recognised .
The standard of performance , organisation and incentives at the Nedbank Runified 50km has quickly made it one of the world ’ s premier ultra-marathons
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 .
43