Buffalo Road Runners have played a major role in the history of road running in both province and country.
They have a proud history in respect of the Buffalo Marathon, more recently sponsored by Hemmingways Casino, the Washie 100 and, in years gone by, the Kromburg and Schubert 15km road race.
Events in the lead up to 2016 and during this year itself came close to seeing a grand old running institution grind to a halt.
As it happens that was not to be and on the second attempt to call an AGM the members rallied to the call of some of the diehards to elect a committee of dedicated members.
A number of them remembered the glory days of Buffs runners challenging in many a race, inclusive of Buffs, Two Oceans and Comrades.
Craig Nelson, who has been with the club for 41 years and who has never sought the top positions but has always been in the dugout of races and everyday activity within the club, stood up and answered the call to take the chair.
It seems obvious that the single most determining factor in raising Buffs members from a slumber was the “loss” of the traditional Buffs Marathon in 2016, when it was incorporated into a SA Championship, leaving Buffs fans from all over the country at a loss.
A loss for the traditions and the Buffs that everyone speaks about and a loss for a meaningful qualifier for Two Oceans and Comrades. Not to mention a sure personal best for the prepared.
Nelson was a good runner in his day, particularly over middle distances, but he also had three hour marathons to his credit and was a great man to train with, regardless of which club you ran for. Running was like that in the 1970s and 80s.
Clubs would go the proverbial “hammer and tongs” at one another on the road and have an all mighty party in a clubhouse somewhere in the province, thereafter.
So where to Buffs in 2017?
“The Buffs Marathon as we know it will happen,” he says with absolute surety in his voice. The date is set is for February 25.
While in Johannesburg last week on running business, this scribe was met by numerous questions about the marathon.
Already a number of runners have booked flights and accommodation to rekindle or discover a relationship with Buffs and the country’s once premier race over 42.2km.
Buffs also hosted one of the toughest but most meaningful time trials in the city. Runners wanting to know where they stood before a big race would meet at the Eastern Beach lifesavers shack on a Wednesday, belt up the hill towards Bunkers Hill and Turnberry Avenue, turn at the Border astro turf, pummel back down the hill in the direction of the wishing well at Orient Beach and back to the start.
Ten days before a big race and you would know exactly where you stood.
Nelson kept that going in the new era but alas, times and priorities changed and the time trial faded. In conversation we agree that the calibre of runners in respect of performance are now few and far between.
The likes of a Edward Khangelani, JJ Parsotam, Clyde Mountfort, the Wilkinson and Donald brothers, Kogie Reddy, Barry Steidlen, Rob Joiner, Buddy Wright, Darrell Raubenheimer, Owen Pistorious, Jack Hugo, Glyn Williams and so very many more.
Nelson has been saying for years now: “The minute runners do not need to be members of a club to run Two Oceans or Comrades the club system will fold.”
That is perhaps partially true, for there are a number of young innovative clubs that operate with folk not interested in mega distance, but there is no doubt that the Comrades remains a major focus in the land.
If Buffs can reinvent themselves the same way Comrades has done in recent years it will once again emerge as a leader in its own right, and if that revolves around just two major events then that is enough to keep it strong, in the spotlight and relevant.
Backing Nelson is a mixture of hardened runners and supporters, including his wife Jenny, always at his side in the organising mix, Willie van der Merwe, Jenny and John Painter, Andrew Booyens, Marilyn Page and, as club captain, former Washie winner, leading Comrades runner from a Border perspective and sound marathoner, Gail Langley.
He also has the unwavering support of the new Wednesday group aptly known as “Johnny Walkers”.
The crew include former Buffs chairman and race organiser, James Anderson, Mike Shields, Arthur Brindley, Neville Introna and Van der Merwe.
Buffs have provided a number of Washie winners, the likes of Tammie Bilibana, who also won a gold medal at Comrades, Don Underwood and Ashley Mentoor, while Dave Park was synonymous with all things running and Washie.
Mentoor is still running and finished second at the Kidd’s Beach parkrun last weekend.
They have also had great leadership over the years inclusive of the late Dennis Bradfield, who led the club in the early days. Being a great fishing buddy of Nelson, we are hopefully in for more of the same.
Future of Buffs falls into capable hands
They have a proud history in respect of the Buffalo Marathon, more recently sponsored by Hemmingways Casino, the Washie 100 and, in years gone by, the Kromburg and Schubert 15km road race.
Events in the lead up to 2016 and during this year itself came close to seeing a grand old running institution grind to a halt.
As it happens that was not to be and on the second attempt to call an AGM the members rallied to the call of some of the diehards to elect a committee of dedicated members.
A number of them remembered the glory days of Buffs runners challenging in many a race, inclusive of Buffs, Two Oceans and Comrades.
Craig Nelson, who has been with the club for 41 years and who has never sought the top positions but has always been in the dugout of races and everyday activity within the club, stood up and answered the call to take the chair.
It seems obvious that the single most determining factor in raising Buffs members from a slumber was the “loss” of the traditional Buffs Marathon in 2016, when it was incorporated into a SA Championship, leaving Buffs fans from all over the country at a loss.
A loss for the traditions and the Buffs that everyone speaks about and a loss for a meaningful qualifier for Two Oceans and Comrades. Not to mention a sure personal best for the prepared.
Nelson was a good runner in his day, particularly over middle distances, but he also had three hour marathons to his credit and was a great man to train with, regardless of which club you ran for. Running was like that in the 1970s and 80s.
Clubs would go the proverbial “hammer and tongs” at one another on the road and have an all mighty party in a clubhouse somewhere in the province, thereafter.
So where to Buffs in 2017?
“The Buffs Marathon as we know it will happen,” he says with absolute surety in his voice. The date is set is for February 25.
While in Johannesburg last week on running business, this scribe was met by numerous questions about the marathon.
Already a number of runners have booked flights and accommodation to rekindle or discover a relationship with Buffs and the country’s once premier race over 42.2km.
Buffs also hosted one of the toughest but most meaningful time trials in the city. Runners wanting to know where they stood before a big race would meet at the Eastern Beach lifesavers shack on a Wednesday, belt up the hill towards Bunkers Hill and Turnberry Avenue, turn at the Border astro turf, pummel back down the hill in the direction of the wishing well at Orient Beach and back to the start.
Ten days before a big race and you would know exactly where you stood.
Nelson kept that going in the new era but alas, times and priorities changed and the time trial faded. In conversation we agree that the calibre of runners in respect of performance are now few and far between.
The likes of a Edward Khangelani, JJ Parsotam, Clyde Mountfort, the Wilkinson and Donald brothers, Kogie Reddy, Barry Steidlen, Rob Joiner, Buddy Wright, Darrell Raubenheimer, Owen Pistorious, Jack Hugo, Glyn Williams and so very many more.
Nelson has been saying for years now: “The minute runners do not need to be members of a club to run Two Oceans or Comrades the club system will fold.”
That is perhaps partially true, for there are a number of young innovative clubs that operate with folk not interested in mega distance, but there is no doubt that the Comrades remains a major focus in the land.
If Buffs can reinvent themselves the same way Comrades has done in recent years it will once again emerge as a leader in its own right, and if that revolves around just two major events then that is enough to keep it strong, in the spotlight and relevant.
Backing Nelson is a mixture of hardened runners and supporters, including his wife Jenny, always at his side in the organising mix, Willie van der Merwe, Jenny and John Painter, Andrew Booyens, Marilyn Page and, as club captain, former Washie winner, leading Comrades runner from a Border perspective and sound marathoner, Gail Langley.
He also has the unwavering support of the new Wednesday group aptly known as “Johnny Walkers”.
The crew include former Buffs chairman and race organiser, James Anderson, Mike Shields, Arthur Brindley, Neville Introna and Van der Merwe.
Buffs have provided a number of Washie winners, the likes of Tammie Bilibana, who also won a gold medal at Comrades, Don Underwood and Ashley Mentoor, while Dave Park was synonymous with all things running and Washie.
Mentoor is still running and finished second at the Kidd’s Beach parkrun last weekend.
They have also had great leadership over the years inclusive of the late Dennis Bradfield, who led the club in the early days. Being a great fishing buddy of Nelson, we are hopefully in for more of the same.
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