The organisers of this year’s Comrades marathon are bracing themselves for a repeat of the pacemaking controversy that saw the women’s race at the recent Two Oceans Marathon descend into farce. In Cape Town at the end of March the winner, Natalia Volgina, was guided through every step of the 56km by the former Comrades champion Dmitri Grishin. It was in complete disregard for the rules laid down by the world governing body but the race referee did nothing.

The Commonwealth Games could restore the lustre to South African sport. At this time of mourning for our national sporting teams we don’t need some poncy philosopher to remind us that success on the international sporting stage is an ebb ‘n flow situation.

The organisers may have had to dig deep into their pockets to persuade the world’s four fastest men to compete in this year’s Engen Grand Prix