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In The Lead
SETTING THE PACE
In the last few years Buks van Heerden has built a solid reputation as one of the most reliable pacesetters in South Africa , helping many athletes achieve their running goals . That included bringing the sub-12:00 Comrades bus home in 2016 , although he will tell you that it was a very stressful run ! – BY SEAN FALCONER
At the recent Pick n Pay Marathon in Johannesburg , well known Gauteng Pacesetter Buks van Heerden brought his sub-5:00 bus home on time , once again helping many runners to qualify for the Comrades Marathon . It was his 50 th consecutive successful delivery of a bus within the ‘ advertised ’ target time since January 2016 , including not only the sub-12:00 bus at Comrades , but also six marathons in four weeks that culminated with that milestone 50 th bus . Now Buks says he is aiming for 100 , all with his trademark PinkDrive armwarmers , which he always wears to support the cancer awareness charity . “ It may be arrogant to aim for 100 consecutive successful pacing races , but it motivates me ,” says the 45-year-old from Meyerton , near Vereeniging , adding that he loves giving back to the sport by volunteering as a pacesetter .
However , he adds that it can be a challenging job . “ Everybody wants to run in front , right next to the pacesetter , and quite a few runners think they know better than the pacesetter what the right pace should be ,” he laughs . “ But I love the fact that I can help people and make their running dreams come true , and it shows that we can unite and work together . That said , it is heartbreaking to leave people behind when they can ’ t keep up during a race . As a result I have finished many races in tears after having to leave people behind , but the job has to be done , and for every one you leave behind , there are 10 or 20 who make it and hit their goals . The strange thing is I actually often get messages from these people to say sorry that they couldn ’ t hang on , but I just tell them to put in some more training and join me for another attempt . It is amazing to know I can make such a difference in other people ’ s lives .”
GIVING BACK
This drive to help others sees Buks not only leading a bus in all his races , usually with his wife Carolien by his side , but also sees him co-ordinating the recently created Gauteng Pacesetters , a group of volunteers who regularly give up their own races to help others hit their target times . “ It all came out of a long-time discussion between myself , Jackie Campher and Johan van Tonder , who are both regular Comrades Pacesetters for Modern Athlete . We said we needed somebody to co-ordinate the pacers in Gauteng , just like Paul Murphy does with the Western Province Pacesetters down in the Cape , and since I like proper planning and control , Carolien and I started the Gauteng Pacesetters . In November we put out a call on social media asking for volunteer pacesetters for the Old Mutual Soweto Marathon , and we were overwhelmed by the response .”
“ Our first official pacing race was actually the Kaapsehoop Marathon the day before Soweto , and in those two races we delivered 90 % of the buses successfully , but since then the guys and girls have really grown into the pacing role and we ’ re getting it right consistently . We also have great support from the Cape – Paul has provided us with a lot of advice , and Rassie Pretorius provides pacing plans and route profiles , so we ’ ve been able to apply their lessons and experience , which has allowed us to grow quickly .”
Buks van Heerden
Images : Jetline Action Photo , CMA & Courtesy Buks van Heerden
12 ISSUE 92 MARCH 2017 / www . modernathlete . co . za