Ma letters
Have YOUR SAY
Got something on your mind that you want to share, a burning question you want answered, or a good story to tell? Then send it to letters @ modernathlete. co. za.
( Note that these letters may have been shortened due to space limitations.)
WINNING LETTER
BATTLE OF THE MOMS
Most people start running to lose weight. My motivation was a little bit different. It all started when my daughter had her sports day at school and they asked the mothers to take part in a race. Memories of my primary school sprinting days came flooding back as I ran the 100 metres as fast as I could, and I came fourth. I was stiff for days!
I then decided to start running and did a marathon, and at the end of the year I once again ran the mom’ s race. I came fourth again, but I wasn’ t stiff afterwards! I then decided to do an ultra-marathon, and that year I came first in the mom’ s race.( My greatest achievement!) This past year I went back to defend the title, but something must have happened in the running community, because there were a hundred moms lining up to do the race! I think I came about 20 th and I couldn’ t stop laughing all the way at the moms pushing each other out of the way for a place!
Now I have found a new motivator: parkrun. My neighbour who hardly ever runs just beat me by five minutes … but I’ m doing Comrades in 2017, and I am sure it will help me catch up! – Bailee Coetzer, Cape Town
This letter really made me laugh as I pictured a hundred moms trying to get to the front of the pack in a sprint event. It sounds like chaotic fun! – Ed.
WALKERS RUINING THE RACES
I am concerned about the number of participants at our races these days. I have been running for many years, but am finding the numbers growing, and it is unpleasant to participate in local races. First of all we have to struggle in the traffic getting to the races, sometimes sitting in traffic for hours and missing the start. We then struggle to find parking. One of the main reasons for growing numbers is the amount of walkers now participating in the races.
be a good idea, be it at a different time or next to each other, giving both sets of athletes a clear road to get going on, and good planning and marshalling by organisers, especially on two-lap courses, should solve the problem of blocked roads or clashes amongst faster and slower athletes( be they walkers or slower back-markers). – Ed.
HAPPY SUBSCRIBER
Unfortunately, some of them often start in the front row of races, and then walk three to five abreast, so it’ s difficult to overtake. What bad manners! Some of them will take over three hours to complete a 21.1km race, but they start right in the front, blocking us runners. And in a two-lap course, the front runners catch many walkers when the walkers have still only done a few kilometres, and it makes it difficult for the fast runners to get past.
The obvious solution is that walkers should organise their own races and let runners run, without them blocking us. Race organisers should not have races only to make money, and don’ t use walkers as income flow for your race. Alternately, provinces should make it compulsory for walkers to start 30 minutes before a running race, so they can spread out, and walkers and runners should not start together. Running races used to be fun, but not any more, thanks to the walkers. – Joey Gotkin, Johannesburg
As much as I understand your frustration, Joey, I cannot agree with you that walkers should not be made welcome at running races. I believe there is space on the roads for both runners and walkers, but that basic respect from each side will ensure a smooth racing experience for all athletes. A separate start would
I’ ve always had to read your magazine off the Internet, but the actual feel of the magazine in my hand is as amazing as every page I turn. There is always something new to learn, and I believe this magazine is written by runners, for runners, because only a runner would know what it means to stand on that start line. Or how emotional and exhilarating it is when you cross the finish line – and swear you will never run again, even as you accept flyers for the next race and already register that evening of the same day for the coming week’ s race! – Missy Njobe, Durban
We are indeed proud of the fact that the Modern Athlete team is full of runners, but we still appreciate it when readers tell us that we are hitting the right note. – Ed.
Images: Fotolia, Jasper Coezee & courtesy Missy Njobe
6 ISSUE 91 FEBRUARY 2017 / www. modernathlete. co. za