C o l u m n
WHAT ’ S THAT YOU SAY ?
THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN
People with all these marathons around the corner … Some of you have aspirations of doing Oceans and Comrades , but you still need to qualify . Just know that there will be people who have qualified already , but they don ’ t have an entry . Please don ’ t look sad after your races … those people will inbox you like the stokvel aunties , the FX Traders or the World Ventures crew of yesteryear . Pasop ! – Angelo Adams
A CRY FOR HELP ?
Looking to swap my old legs for a younger pair . They don ’ t have to be waxed , but if they are , that would be great . Inbox me . – Andrew Worrall
DAY IN THE LIFE OF A COMRADES SUPPORTER
I think it is easier to run Comrades than being a supporter . It must be so stressful … Where is he now on the route ? Is he ok ? What does he need when he arrives ? Will he be in time for the cut ? Will I be in time for him at the next pre-planned spot ? Will he still be in good spirits , or will this be one of those ‘ bad patches ’ where you get crapped on because he chose to do this thing ? Will my car be okay while I am standing next to the road along with 10,000 other spectators ? Hope I will find it again , and that nobody tried to smash a window while I was away ?
CAN YOU WALK THE TALK ?
I hope all the people who write screeds on what races do wrong are volunteering to help out at their own club ’ s races this year . – Stuart Thomas
Derick Marcisz : Well said ! Was thinking exactly the same after reading all the keyboard warrior comments .
Ruth Leverton : Over the past 23 years I have volunteered at every race organised by my club ( two per year .) We value the feedback from the runners – both positive and negative – so that we can improve with each event .
Marisa Calvert : Mense got a whole lot to say , but never come with solutions .
Sue Ullyett : The biggest critics are often those who don ’ t volunteer their time and have zero clue about event organising .
Tony Cape : If you look at the Strava profiles of the people complaining , it ’ s often clear to see that they are not even running regularly . If you ’ re unfit and out of shape , don ’ t blame the race organisers for your failure . We all know that a small sip of water you missed had nothing to do with you not being able to run 15km .
Ruth Hartman : I appreciate all that race organisers do , and have empathy for what “ goes wrong .” It takes a huge amount of time , effort and planning , and not everyone can be pleased ! Yet , constructive feedback is good , as along as one can provide support , or BE the change they want to see ( by getting involved ).
I have to be in time at the finish … and where the heck is he among all the spectators and runners ? Don ’ t worry , at any stage there are only about 20 000 people at the finish ! Shame , and now the poor old guy is sore and tired and moody , and I have to drive him home – it ’ s quite a long drive from Pietermaritzburg to Durban . With all the traffic trying to get back to Durban , it will take us more than two hours . But the worst is waiting . The poor guy can ’ t get out of the car , he is moaning and groaning , and then I have to help him get into a bath , wash him , put him into bed , and when I eventually get to bed , he ’ s sleeping like a baby .
Sorry , but that is the life of a Comrades supporter , and I am so fortunate to have the best of the best in my corner . This year , it will be even tougher for her . She has to be there for me , my two daughters Louise and Wilandi , my son-in-law Christo , my two brothers Hendrik and Marius , and two running mates , Karen and Annelize . But with 36 Comrades Marathons as a supporter , you just can ’ t get better , and we all owe her big time ! – Wietse van der Westhuizen
Madeleine Scheppening : This is very true , thank you for sharing . As I enter my first Comrades 2024 , I think back to my husband ’ s first , a decade ago … Not sure who cried more at the end : Him from pain , or me from jealousy .
Afroz Cariem : Described so perfectly - I ’ ve been a supporter and a runner , and supporting is so much more stressful !
TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE
Throwback Thursday to 1985 @ comradesmarathon – 23 years old and my fourth attempt at the Ultimate Human Challenge , climbing up Botha ’ s Hill and finishing in 6:30 , in 42nd position overall . # asicsrunning – Shaun Meiklejohn , 1995 Comrades Marathon winner
Julie Meiklejohn : Eish , those shorts !
10 ISSUE 165 | www . modernathlete . co . za