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