Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 56, March 2014

Race Report Man, it’s HOT today! What They Said… Images: Sean Falconer Modern Athlete was at the ﬁnish to ask runners how their race went. Unsurprisingly, the hot weather and wind came up over and over. Cape Peninsula Marathon & Half Marathon, Western Cape, 16 February The 47th running of the Cape Peninsula Marathon, from Green point to Simon’s Town, once again attracted a huge field, with many going in search of a qualifying time for the big ultras. However, the heat and wind did not make it easy. – BY SEAN FALCONER A few days before the Peninsula, the organisers sent out a media release warning runners to expect extremely hot temperatures on race day, adding that an additional 25 000 water sachets and extra ice had been ordered. Race day duly arrived and the mercury quickly shot up to the high 30s, and while the south-easter was blowing fairly briskly, it didn’t do much to cool the runners down. (The heat wave that engulfed the Cape on this weekend actually led to a cycling race in nearby Stellenbosch on the same day being stopped midway, as temperatures on the road reached 45 degrees!) At the front of the 5000-strong pack for the combined marathon and half marathon races, Dicardo Jakobs and Zintle Xiniwe, both now running for the New Balance Multisport Club, successfully defended their titles in the men’s marathon (2:23:08) and women’s half marathon (1:23:22) respectively. The remaining winners’ titles went to Keri-Ann Marshall (Atlantic Triathlon Club, women’s marathon, 3:11:54) and Nkosinathi Madyo (Nedbank, men’s half marathon, 1:09:50). For many of the rest, it was all about coming home in under five hours in the marathon for a Two Oceans qualifier, and the fistpumping and high-fiving was a sight to behold as happy runners streamed, and steamed, over the finish line. Zahrah Salie, Ommiedraai AC, 42km, 5:45 “It was bad today, a combination of distance, flat terrain and the heat, and I cramped at 32km. I was aiming for a sub-5, as I wanted to qualify for Oceans, so that means I will have to come back another year for my third one. Still, I made it in under the final cutoff, and the camaraderie stood out for me today. It’s also great to see so many more new faces taking part in the races each week.” Marize Edwards, Bellville AC, 21km: 3:01 “I tried to beat my own cut-off, which is three hours, because if I can do that, I know I can do the Oceans Half, which is a dream for people of my age and limited running talent. I’m 65 in two weeks’ time and I can still do what I do thanks to running, in my own unique way.” Kerry Sillifant, New Balance Multisport Club, 42km: 3:28 My goal today was a sub-3:30 for a B seeding at Oceans, but I didn’t think I was going to make it. I had a bit of an internal cry because I was battling a bit from Fish Hoek, about 10km out. Running into people I knew really helped, and this one junior from Fish Hoek made me laugh when he saw me walking and said to me, ‘Come on, you can’t walk now. Almost home’ When he heard I was doing the full, he responded, ‘OK, then you can walk.’” Taariq Pietersen, Central AC, 21km: 1:55 “Today was tough because of the weather conditions, but it was a nice, flat course. I was aiming for a 1:40, so I was very disappointed when I saw the clock, but the wind was killing me in the last few kays – it felt like I was running still on a treadmill, going nowhere!” Sean Robson, Atlantic AC, 42km: 3

Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 56, March 2014 | Page 37