“Sunday 10^th July 2022

West Coast Athletic Club Marathon

The time had finally come.  The day had dawned.  It was Sunday.  Funday Sunday (for some) and the long awaited event on everyone’s lips . . . . the WC Marathon.  This promised to be a day with a difference.  For the first time in the history of the club, a marathon had been organised and now it was time to run it.  Not for members though as we had our turn the previous weekend.  In the rain.  Yes in the pouring rain.  Sunday runners however would be more fortunate as although it bucketed down overnight, it was a good dry day.  A good dry perfect running day.  So after a cup of tea it was time to get up and get this party started!!

My allocated spot to marshal was in Melkbos.  On the corner of Ou Skip Caravan Park and Otto du Plessis to be precise.  Driving through via the beach road there was much activity.  Traffic police were out in full force, orange cones had been placed and tables were being prepped with any amount of refreshments being offered to passing runners.  Once parked, I realised that my marshal neighbour who had been delegated to the corner of Charles Hoffe & Otto du Plessis was no other than my good friend Alex Peo.   We had some time on our hands before the front runners came through, which gave me an ideal opportunity to take a walk.  Up to Alex for a chat, then down across the Sout Rivier Bridge to Harold Ashwell Boulevard to meet and greet the marshals there.

It was just before 09h00 that a set of headlights could be seen coming up Otto du Plessis guiding the front runner who managed to make this running lark look so easy.  Taking it all in his stride.  Second nature.  Just out and about running a distance of 42km!  Easy like a Sunday morning.  And there wasn’t a soul behind him.  He had the entire road and route to himself, and goes by the name of Reuben Mhashu completing the marathon in a mind blowing 02:33:34.  I had no idea this was possible but Reuben confirmed that this was so.

Soon enough however more runners emerged like meerkat chasing one another.  Strong runners.  Runners that knew how to master a 42km.  Running light – just shorts and a vest.  Gee these guys can move!

As Bruce headed up the 42km marshals, he was a familiar sight patrolling the streets – sounds like the old Squad Car advert – checking on everyone’s workstation and location.  But even so, his cell phone didn’t stop once and probably didn’t stop throughout the entire morning?  You know the saying about the best person for a job?  Well as we know it’s usually a woman who wears this title, but in this case it’s give credit where credit’s due.  Bruce, you must have been run (excuse the pun) of your feet with queries, enquiries and requests. 

Being a marshal is no easy feat though.  Given the opportunity I’d rather be out running than directing runners and oh the confounded traffic in and out of Ou Skip.  When the busses of runners were approaching, I’d advise the car emerging from Ou Skip when to and when not to proceed.  Well this proved – in some cases – to be more difficult than not.  The question that I answered a thousand times on Sunday was – why must they run here hey?  Or – now how am I going to get to Tableview?  – how long is this going on for?  I did lots of counting on Sunday.  Lots of one to ten.  And most folk in their haste to get on to the Otto du Plessis road, sped off in second gear leaving clouds of smoke behind as they muttered beneath their masks.  Yes, still wearing masks.  But that was the exception more than the norm.  Most folk were pleasant and compliant.

Alex was kind enough to manage my station for a period of time as I drove down to Total for a Rooibos Cappuccino and the use of their bathroom.  Upon my return it was getting busier and busier.  Carl had stationed himself at News Café corner and then a little later at the roundabout circle leading up to the finish line.  He was good enough to take a hundred and plenty photographs – seriously hundreds and hundreds needed to be downloaded, edited and transferred across to our Facebook page.  So I prepared myself for the afternoon and viewed each and every photograph – discarding some and posting the remainders.

It was now approximately 11h30 when David Yuill appeared and I have to confess I was really happy to see him.  Handing over my fluorescent vest and red flag offered great relief.  My shift was over.  Time to pack it in and head off home.  Home for tea and off out to lunch.  In that order.  The mall was alive with runners – some lunching – others shopping and then some trying to remember where they had parked.  Been there done that. 

Wow.  What a wonderful morning.  Our very first marathon done and dusted.  No amount of thanks and recognition could ever be enough for our committee who spent hours tirelessly organising this huge event.  I think I can say with confidence that it went without a hitch?  Now to plan one for next year. . . . . .

3777 entries

42.2km results                                

21.1km results  

10km results

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