By DAVID MACGREGOR
Endurence athletes taking part in the gruelling Washie 100 today have been urged to be extra cautious at roadworks during the gruelling 160km run from Port Alfred to East London.
The race is run through the night on the full moon and Tracy Mackay of Buffalo Road Runners Club yesterday requested that all athletes should not run alone through areas where only one-way traffic is allowed.
With finishing times ranging from just over 13 hours for last year’s winner to the 26-hour cut-off for stragglers, trying to keep tabs on 89 runners fanned out along the route is extremely difficult.
“The safety of runners in the 40th running of the ELB Washie 100 is of utmost importance to the local organising committee and all necessary safety measures are in place,” she told the Dispatch yesterday.
According to Mackay, police and traffic authorities have confirmed their “availability and visibility” for the race.
She said contractors responsible for roadworks along the route would also provide assistance, as well as a private security company.
A full medical team will also be on standby.
“The roadworks will affect the runners more this year than before, but we have had roadworks since 1978 so we work closely with the road engineers and traffic officials – they are extremely helpful and supportive.
“Each runner must have a team of seconds to look after their every need. It is this marriage that the Washie spirit is built on.”
She said all runners must be accompanied by a second, especially when their back-up vehicle is delayed at a stop/go point.
“This race is not for the faint-hearted – it takes courage, determination and a strong mind to run 100 miles and each runner deserves the pride and praise of completing this difficult goal and ticking it off their bucket list.”
With more than 90 entries already confirmed, one local athlete hoping to tick off the epic race is 41-year-old Desmond Bekker of Buffalo City Municipality.
Following in the footsteps of his father Cyril, who completed the race in 1991, Desmond’s first attempt in 2014 came to an abrupt halt 52km in when his legs gave up.
Instead of going it alone this time, he is running the race from start to finish with his 64-year-old father – who will be the oldest competitor.
“It will be very special if I can finish the Washie with my Dad,” he said.
Although they have finished the Comrades and Two Oceans marathons together, they have never tackled the Washie at the same time.
“Hopefully we can do it. The Washie is so tough, it makes the Comrades and Two Oceans feel like training runs.”
Although some people do it once to tick it off their bucket lists, others keep coming back for more.
With 25 Washies under the belt, East London legends Eric Wright and Butch Duffey will both be trying to bag another finish within the cut-off.
Other interesting competitors this year include a husband and wife team, twin brothers, a handful of international runners – and Mbuso Ngcongo, who has completed Comrades and other big marathons barefoot.
“He gave Washie an attempt last year but only made it as far as 100km before the cold became too much for his feet,” Mackay said. All in all it should be a testing run. — davidm@dispatch.co.za
Runners told: Beware those bad elements
Endurence athletes taking part in the gruelling Washie 100 today have been urged to be extra cautious at roadworks during the gruelling 160km run from Port Alfred to East London.
The race is run through the night on the full moon and Tracy Mackay of Buffalo Road Runners Club yesterday requested that all athletes should not run alone through areas where only one-way traffic is allowed.
With finishing times ranging from just over 13 hours for last year’s winner to the 26-hour cut-off for stragglers, trying to keep tabs on 89 runners fanned out along the route is extremely difficult.
“The safety of runners in the 40th running of the ELB Washie 100 is of utmost importance to the local organising committee and all necessary safety measures are in place,” she told the Dispatch yesterday.
According to Mackay, police and traffic authorities have confirmed their “availability and visibility” for the race.
She said contractors responsible for roadworks along the route would also provide assistance, as well as a private security company.
A full medical team will also be on standby.
“The roadworks will affect the runners more this year than before, but we have had roadworks since 1978 so we work closely with the road engineers and traffic officials – they are extremely helpful and supportive.
“Each runner must have a team of seconds to look after their every need. It is this marriage that the Washie spirit is built on.”
She said all runners must be accompanied by a second, especially when their back-up vehicle is delayed at a stop/go point.
“This race is not for the faint-hearted – it takes courage, determination and a strong mind to run 100 miles and each runner deserves the pride and praise of completing this difficult goal and ticking it off their bucket list.”
With more than 90 entries already confirmed, one local athlete hoping to tick off the epic race is 41-year-old Desmond Bekker of Buffalo City Municipality.
Following in the footsteps of his father Cyril, who completed the race in 1991, Desmond’s first attempt in 2014 came to an abrupt halt 52km in when his legs gave up.
Instead of going it alone this time, he is running the race from start to finish with his 64-year-old father – who will be the oldest competitor.
“It will be very special if I can finish the Washie with my Dad,” he said.
Although they have finished the Comrades and Two Oceans marathons together, they have never tackled the Washie at the same time.
“Hopefully we can do it. The Washie is so tough, it makes the Comrades and Two Oceans feel like training runs.”
Although some people do it once to tick it off their bucket lists, others keep coming back for more.
With 25 Washies under the belt, East London legends Eric Wright and Butch Duffey will both be trying to bag another finish within the cut-off.
Other interesting competitors this year include a husband and wife team, twin brothers, a handful of international runners – and Mbuso Ngcongo, who has completed Comrades and other big marathons barefoot.
“He gave Washie an attempt last year but only made it as far as 100km before the cold became too much for his feet,” Mackay said. All in all it should be a testing run. — davidm@dispatch.co.za
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