The Legends Marathon debacle keeps stumbling along as disgruntled runners in the Border region have put forth the idea of hosting a 68km-long fun run after the Legends event was cancelled.
The athletes, led by Mkhululi Jack have launched a campaign on social media to have their “Legends Ultra Fun Run” with the slogan “the longest fun run in the world” staged on the same day that Legends was scheduled to take place.
Legends was cancelled earlier this month owing to financial constraints, a decision that did not go down well with some athletes who have since organised the fun run.
The founder of the formal Legends race which has been canned for this year, Luthando Bara, said he had nothing to do with the fun run but had no beef with the use of the “Legends” name.
“As long as what those athletes seek to do does not in any way bastardise our race and also that theirs is not commercial,” said Bara.
Border Athletics who have been at loggerheads with the organisers of the fun run also distanced themselves from the envisaged event billed for October 1.
Border president Dann Louw said: “We have not been approached but we have learnt about a group who are said to be organising a fun run from Bhisho to East London.
“We will not sanction this because international rules say that no fun run longer than 5km can be sanctioned by an official athletics structure.”
It seems the fun run organisers are well aware of this but are determined to go ahead.
Chief organiser Jack said: “This is training, the usual thing we would organise as clubs or friends.”
Jack and company even have the support of the provincial department of public works spokesman Mphumzi Zuzile who said he was willing to man one of the water and snack points “if need be”.
But the idea has received opposition from certain quarters with some athletes raising security and health concerns.
“Keep in mind that it’s a national road and freeway, and if no permission is granted then running walking and cycling is illegal in terms of the national road traffic act!” said Desmond Bekker.
Zuzile agreed: “Let’s do everything by the book so we can get all the protection we need … If needs be I can man one of the water and snack stops along the route.”
Jack said they would seek the necessary assistance from relevant authorities.
But bureaucracy and red tape to get authorisation may be the stumbling block, especially with less than two weeks left.
Dean Venish came to the organisers’ defence: “The sad thing is all these athletes want to do is run.
“They don’t want to break the law, loot, burn, steal, protest or toyi-toyi but all they want to do is run !!! It’s as simple as that.” — zingisam@dispatch.
Legends fun run faces sticky hurdles
The athletes, led by Mkhululi Jack have launched a campaign on social media to have their “Legends Ultra Fun Run” with the slogan “the longest fun run in the world” staged on the same day that Legends was scheduled to take place.
Legends was cancelled earlier this month owing to financial constraints, a decision that did not go down well with some athletes who have since organised the fun run.
The founder of the formal Legends race which has been canned for this year, Luthando Bara, said he had nothing to do with the fun run but had no beef with the use of the “Legends” name.
“As long as what those athletes seek to do does not in any way bastardise our race and also that theirs is not commercial,” said Bara.
Border Athletics who have been at loggerheads with the organisers of the fun run also distanced themselves from the envisaged event billed for October 1.
Border president Dann Louw said: “We have not been approached but we have learnt about a group who are said to be organising a fun run from Bhisho to East London.
“We will not sanction this because international rules say that no fun run longer than 5km can be sanctioned by an official athletics structure.”
It seems the fun run organisers are well aware of this but are determined to go ahead.
Chief organiser Jack said: “This is training, the usual thing we would organise as clubs or friends.”
Jack and company even have the support of the provincial department of public works spokesman Mphumzi Zuzile who said he was willing to man one of the water and snack points “if need be”.
But the idea has received opposition from certain quarters with some athletes raising security and health concerns.
“Keep in mind that it’s a national road and freeway, and if no permission is granted then running walking and cycling is illegal in terms of the national road traffic act!” said Desmond Bekker.
Zuzile agreed: “Let’s do everything by the book so we can get all the protection we need … If needs be I can man one of the water and snack stops along the route.”
Jack said they would seek the necessary assistance from relevant authorities.
But bureaucracy and red tape to get authorisation may be the stumbling block, especially with less than two weeks left.
Dean Venish came to the organisers’ defence: “The sad thing is all these athletes want to do is run.
“They don’t want to break the law, loot, burn, steal, protest or toyi-toyi but all they want to do is run !!! It’s as simple as that.” — zingisam@dispatch.
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