RACE CERTIFIER
Measuring and certifying
THE MILE
Article Written by : Liezl Scheepers from Parys Gazette
While many were enjoying a braai on Heritage Day , Herbert Makhale was seen on his bicycle in Parys ’ main road , carefully measuring and making notes of the Parys Crater Street Mile route scheduled to take place on Saturday 12 October .
This was done for official certification according to the rules and regulations of World Athletics , Athletics SA and Athletics Free State , giving participating athletes the opportunity to qualify for provincial , national and international recognition .
This year some changes have been made to the Parys Crater Street Mile route . Athletes will start and finish at the Spur entrance at the Pick ‘ n Pay Centre in Water Street . The turning point of the route will be at Plum Tree Restaurant in Breë Street .
The event will for the first time be hosted on a Saturday by Rotary Parys in conjunction with Parys Info & Tourism . The first race is set to start at 07:00 .
The distance – 1 609.4m – the exact measurement of a mile .
Herbert , who is from Soweto , is one of only three people in South Africa with a World Athletics Road Running Measuring Diploma that he obtained in 2021 .
Being a long-distance athlete himself , who has won a silver medal at the Comrades some time ago , he takes his responsibility seriously to ensure that the measuring of routes is done according to the expected standards .
Since he obtained his first IAAF qualification in 2013 , he has measured and certified a number of routes . He explains that the measuring of a route is done with a calibrated Jones counter attached to the front wheel of a bicycle .
After measuring the route , he writes a comprehensive report for the administrators of World Athletics who then give international certification .
I have to be a perfectionist in what I do to safeguard the athletes , says Herbert , who not only loves what he is doing , but takes pride in his work .
After all , he knows the heartbeat of an athlete .
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