ATHLETICS: Julian Drew
AFTER two years in regression, Sunday’s Soweto Marathon aims to recapture some of the lustre that led many to believe it would become the “Comrades” or “Two Oceans” of the standard marathon distance when it was launched in a blaze of hype in 1993. Towards this end Sunday’s race boasts the added attraction of hosting the African Marathon Championships.
Although a marathon was first staged in Soweto in 1991 when 700 finished the Coca- Cola Sowetan Marathon, the present Soweto Marathon, on the first Sunday of December, was only born in 1993 under a three-year sponsorship deal with M-Net. Taking place in the general euphoria leading up to the 1994 elections and billed as a “Run for Peace”, that race attracted a field of 3 200 and the people of Soweto came out in their thousands to create a carnival atmosphere. But a fall- out with M-Net, and changes of sponsors over the past two years saw a waning interest on the part of athletes and spectators alike.
For the good of athletics it is important
to arrest this trend. A successful, high- profile race of this nature in an area like Soweto can go a long way towards creating the athletics culture so necessary for the growth of the sport in South Africa.
The novelty of running in Soweto has worn off for those umlungus who have aIready run the race and the general climate of violence in Gauteng could prevent others from undertaking the venture. Also, although it is the first qualifier for next year’s Comrades, it comes too late for most athletes with their sights set on the Natal classic. However, Comrades runners form the largest constituency among local marathon runners and it is important to cater for their needs if the race wants to attract a big field.
As one of the toughest marathon courses around, Soweto will never be a venue for fast times or personal bests. That alone will be a deterrent for top international athletes, and with the rapidly weakening rand it will become increasingly difficult to entice the top runners when they can earn considerably more overseas. It will obviously take time to build the profile of the race but for that to happen the City of Johannesburg needs to perceive it as a cultural asset which is worth supporting and developing.
As for Sunday’s race, the main interest will lie with the battle for the African Marathon Championships which is sadly for men only. The outcome of this race-within-a-race should also account for the victor of the Soweto Marathon unless there is a major surprise – which could perhaps come from seasoned distance star Meshack Mogotsi who is making his marathon debut.
None of South Africa’s top marathoners – nor those from the rest of the continent for that matter – will be present but even so the four selected to wear the green and gold, with three to count, should comfortably win the team and individual prizes. Although Africa has many of the world’s best over the 42.2km distance, glory for one’s country is a poor substitute for financial gain, especially when a top marathon runner has only three or four good races in his legs to escape poverty and secure a comfortable future.
Indeed South Africa’s biggest drawcard, Josiah Thugwane, will be lining up in Japan a few hours before the Soweto Marathon gets underway as he collects his first handsome payback at the Fukuoka Marathon after the Olympics.
Nine countries indicated they would send full teams to the championships with five others confirming lesser numbers of athletes. However, even though entries closed on November 8, Athletics South Africa only began receiving names this week and the nine teams are now down to five with the outside chance of a late show by Ethiopia.
Only Kenya – whose three unknown athletes have times of 2:14 or 2:15 which would he dangerous if run at altitude – could provide a threat. That leaves the odds favouring a repeat of South Africa’s wins from the inaugural championships in Abidjan two years ago when Andries Pilusa’s victory also led his team home first.
The fastest man in the field is 1995 South African champion Martin Ndivheni, but he may still be feeling the effects of September’s Berlin Marathon where he finished fifth in an excellent time of 2:10:21. Also in the South African team is Adam Motlagale who finished one place ahead of Ndivheni to take third at this year’s national championships in Cape Town. The other two team members, Simon Mphulanyane and Desmond Witbooi, have yet to break 2:15.
Last year’s defending women’s champion, Jowaine Parrot, is absent on Sunday and the favourite is ultra specialist Helene Joubert who will be going for a hat-trick of victories after winning the race in 1993 and 1994.