Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 95, June 2017 | 页面 23

PJ’s
PIECE
T
my 2017 Big Half Century Run.
However, a few weeks ago I was told that my son, Brett, is aiming for
a silver this year to commemorate my “silver” of 50 years ago. Brett
has three Comrades finishes to his name already, and he told me
his motivation to dedicate this to his Dad: “In honour of my father’s
achievement in his first Comrades Marathon, and the numerous times
that he completed the race after that, I have taken on the challenge of
attempting to run a sub-7:30 and bring to him an original silver medal. I
believe his 1967 feat, against all odds, was amazing, and I wish to show
my respect for his courageous effort to just finish the event, let alone
that he did it in tennis clothes and shoes!”
No, I’m not getting on my high horse... I was guilty of it, too, before a friend
of mine pointed out how wrong it was. Since then I’ve done my best to leave
nothing behind but footprints. I stuff used sachets into a pocket or down my
shorts, or hold onto them till I spot the closest bin. I don’t just toss it at the bin
in hope, either. Nope, I make the effort to move to the bin and place it inside.
As the SABC will tell you, “It is the right thing to do.” It is about educating the
masses, and I think a matter of ‘each one, teach one.’
The #runclean campaign has been building momentum over the last few years,
especially as we make our way through the South African ultra season, and
everyone is hoping for a positive response from the running community. To
many involved, it is an absolute no-brainer and the solutions should be easy
to implement… but the running community is a ‘slow-burner.’ Change does not
often come easy to the world of running, unfortunately, and this is not just an SA
running problem, but a worldwide one. It just means we have to once again show
the world a better way. I know we can, and I know we want to.
“I have no idea if I can or can’t achieve a silver, but one thing is for
certain: I am going to give it my 100% effort and dedication, and if I
achieve it, there will be some immense emotion at the 2017 Comrades
Marathon finish line. In all fairness, I can attribute my desire and
willingness to run from my father. Both my wife and I are avid runners,
and it is a core part of our life!”
FOR THE PINK CAUSE
Arguing among ourselves and pointing fingers is not the way forward. Just show
the other runners around you how things should be done. Chat to them and pass
on the message. Don’t be too harsh, because that will push them away. A lot
more can be accomplished by a nudge than a shove.
Let’s look after our environment better, by doing our bit and cleaning up our
act. If we don’t, then we may have to run races on treadmills in the future,
remembering the good old days when we could run outside.
Brett will also be raising funds for PinkDrive through this journey, and
this piece is also written
for my wife, Noelene.
She is the boss of the
fantastic PinkDrive, the
“we fight breast and
testicular cancer charity”
that is also one of the
six official charities of
the Comrades Marathon.
As PinkDrive gets no
government funding,
it needs the support
of every Comrades
Marathon running
family, so please help
her to help those
fighting the Big C.
he hot topic among runners at the moment on all social media platforms
is the mess we leave behind after races. Yes, I’m referring to the empty
water sachets that are tossed all over the place. It’s not a pretty sight.
It’s disgusting, actually.
About the Author:
PJ is a former Cape Flats gangster who
took up running when he turned his back
on that dangerous lifestyle, in order to
set a good example for his two young
sons and make sure he would be there for
them, instead of becoming just another
crime statistic. He has recently also turned
his hand to writing.
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