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MARCH NEWSFLASH
Mar
ALL HAIL THE EDENVALE MARATHON CHAMPIONS: A CELEBRATION OF TEAMWORK AND TRIUMPH
The dust has settled, the sweat has dried, and the echoes of pounding feet have faded into the background. Yes, the annual Edenvale Marathon, hosted by the illustrious Rand Road Warriors, has come to a triumphant close. As we take a moment to reflect on the whirlwind of activity that led up to this monumental event, we can’t help but marvel at the tireless efforts of our Race Director, Simon Hart, and his valiant crew of Race Committee members.
From the early stages of planning to the chaotic frenzy of race day, Simon and his dedicated team left no stone unturned in their quest to orchestrate a flawless event. Meetings were held, spreadsheets were scrutinized, and countless cups of coffee were consumed as they meticulously organized everything from race routes to finish line festivities.
The Marketing team kicked things off with a bang, dreaming up an ambitious lineup of events that would put our little corner of the world on the map. With marathons, blitzes, sprints, and fun runs galore, the stage was set for an epic showdown of athletic prowess and popstar glamour.
From the Waterpoint guru who meticulously calculated every drop of hydration needed to keep our runners going, to the Marshal captain who wrangled a small army of volunteers to keep everyone on track, each and every one of our committee members played a crucial role in making the magic happen.
And let’s not forget about the unsung heroes behind the scenes—the Parking-man who ensured that our runners could park safely, the Field manager and the Finish-line-lady who made the medal tables sparkle with their meticulous attention to detail, and the Start team who got our runners off to a flying start.
Registration flowed seamlessly, with our team of cheerful Registration crew members ensuring that runners were assisted promptly, all while delivering a dose of humor and a bright smile. Their efficiency was further bolstered by the invaluable assistance of our fantastic Warrior volunteers. In a lighthearted twist, some runners even engaged in impromptu star-jumping sessions to update their information, adding a touch of spontaneity to the process.
Last but certainly not least, a heartfelt thank you to our Treasurer, who kept the wheels turning and the bills paid with the precision of a Swiss watchmaker.
So, here’s to Simon, to our Race Committee, to our volunteers, and to everyone who helped make this year’s Edenvale Marathon the roaring success that it was. You’ve all earned your place in the annals of running history, and we couldn’t be more grateful for your dedication and hard work.
We thank you
The Editor
A word from our Race Director
Organizing an event like our Edenvale Marathon is a mammoth task. To be perfectly honest with you, at the time, I felt that it was a task that I could not take on due to increased work commitments with starting a new job.
I feel that it is very important to contribute to the running of our club and give back to running. This is one way that I can give back to my club. I also feel very strongly that all members should contribute to our club. Not only does it keep the club running but it also helps to make the club a lot more vibrant.
We did look for a race director, but it quickly became evident that no one was going to step up to the plate. It was with major trepidation, I stepped up and took on the task of organizing the 2024 Edenvale Marathon. I must emphasize that I could never have done this without the support and major assistance from the rest of committee. To be perfectly honest, it is these super heroes that make things happen.
It takes a tremendous amount of effort and time to organize this event. The committee consists of only a handful of people that have to organize everything from working out a budget; looking at trending numbers to determine the entry fee; how much water and coke to order; arranging EMPD and the list goes on.
It doesn’t matter how much effort you put in, there will always be something that goes wrong – the trick is to make sure that there are minimal issues and that the team is solution driven.
The measure of a successful event is not what we saw go wrong, it is what the runners saw go right. As long as they could run through the streets of the Vale safely, they had enough water and coke, and most of all they had fun. There will always be complaints. As long as the bulk of the feedback is positive then you have hosted a successful event.
One of the great wonders of this event is the marshaling. Every year the feedback is that the marshals are fantastic. The comments range from friendly to joyful, helpful and enthusiastic. This race requires about 350 marshals and our membership is only about 110 at present. We get so much support from family and friends. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your contribution and look forward to much, much more next year.
My running journey began with Edenvale Rand Road Warriors some 30 odd years ago. I joined the Club as a friend and I had decided to run Comrades (as people do in SA). I ran a 21-kay training run one weekend with the Club, the longest run I had ever done and felt that it was sufficient to then go and enter the then infamous Bar One Korkie Ultra (Pretoria to Germiston). I ran a 6:22 and qualified (just) for Comrades. As we all know, you don’t just do a 21 and then go and run an ultra! Enough said! My running shoes went into the bin and that was it, my running days were over (or so I thought)!
It would be 11 years later, one cold June day sitting in a doctor’s waiting room, that I picked up copy of Runners World! Comrades had just been run and I decided once again, to do what we say every South African should do, run Comrades.
It was then that I decided to establish a running club and as a result, The Sunninghill Striders was born and launched a year later on September 27th 2005. I led the SSRC for the initial six years of its existence before stepping down! During my tenure and those founding years, the Club grew to just under 400 active members. We, as a club, were placed in the top 5 clubs (professional, established, and non- established clubs) at Comrades in terms of the number of finishers from Gauteng, and in the top 10 clubs nationally. We achieved that for two consecutive years being 2011 and 2012 if I recall correctly. Something which I am immensely proud of, still to this day!
11 years ago, I relocated back to Edenvale. I kept running with Sunninghill however I also knew a few Warriors. As such, it would only be matter of time before I finally had the courage to trade the Navy, White and Gold for the Yellow, Black and White (once again)! (You can take me out of Edenvale, but you cannot take Edenvale out of me)!
In 2020 I got involved with the race on a very peripheral level, helping my (old) school mate Joe de Couto with the finish field. In 2022 I once again got involved with both our events, the Blitz in March and the Marathon in June. The same would apply in 2023, where the finish field was once again my scope of work. The layout, setup and breakdown of our Race Finish is a full 3-day exercise, and not without last minute challengers and curved balls, as life is. Failure however is not an option and so perseverance prevails.
This year, and in order to learn another facet of our race, I went under Andy Peel’s wing for another vital aspect of a race, the start. Another part of the event where the same principles apply and once again, failure is not an option. The start needs to be built up and broken down very quickly obviously to accommodate the regular traffic on Linksfield. I am pleased to say that, as in years past, there were no serious issues, thus resulting in setup and breakdown being successfully undertaken.
In closing, there is a narrative that without the race we don’t have a Club, I however firmly believe (from experience) that without the Club we not only have no race, but we have nothing!
With that said, I would like to say to every single member of The Edenvale Rand Road Warriors, your family and your friends, thank you! Thank you for very valuable contribution in making Thee Edenvale Marathon what is!
Unitas Vires or, Unity is Strength!
The Athlete’s Guide to Conquering a Marathon: A Hilarious Odyssey of Sweat and Shenanigans
Step 1: Set Ridiculously Ambitious Goals
First things first, let’s aim for the stars and settle for the moon, or maybe just the local coffee shop. Dream big, my fellow athlete, because why shoot for a humble finish when you can fantasize about breaking the sound barrier with your sprint? Whether it’s beating Usain Bolt’s record or simply outrunning your neighbor’s annoying poodle, let your imagination run wild. After all, the sky’s the limit… or until your legs give out, whichever comes first.
Step 2: Train Smarter, Not Harder (But Mostly Just Harder)
Training for a marathon is like preparing for a medieval battle: you need strategy, stamina, and a sturdy pair of compression socks. Develop a training plan that balances rigorous workouts with ample rest days and, of course, mandatory Netflix binges. Forget about personal trainers and fancy gadgets; all you need is a GPS watch and a relentless determination to avoid that one particularly aggressive poodle on your usual route.
Step 3: Master the Art of Mental Gymnastics
As any seasoned marathoner will tell you, running 42.2kms is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. Embrace the power of positive thinking, visualize yourself crossing the finish line, and convince yourself that the searing pain in your legs is merely a figment of your imagination. And when the going gets tough, just remember: you’re not hallucinating, those really are giant pink elephants cheering you on from the sidelines.
Step 4: Fuel Your Body with Questionable Choices
Ah, nutrition, the unsung hero of marathon training. While the pros swear by carb-loading and meticulously balanced meals, why not take a more… experimental approach? Start your day with a hearty breakfast of kale smoothies and avocado toast, followed by a mid-run snack of bacon-wrapped
donuts and unicorn tears. And don’t forget to hydrate with a refreshing sports drink, or better yet, a bathtub full of electrolyte-infused kombucha. Who needs science when you’ve got sheer audacity?
Step 5: Embrace the Chaos and Celebrate the Absurdity
As you stumble across the finish line, delirious with exhaustion and giddy with triumph, take a moment to revel in the sheer absurdity of what you’ve just accomplished. Sure, you may not have broken any records or impressed anyone with your athletic prowess, but dammit, you ran a marathon. And in a world full of chaos and uncertainty, that’s something worth celebrating. So, raise a glass (or a sweaty sock full of energy gel), toast to your magnificent, slightly deranged self, and remember: it’s not the destination that matters, but the hilariously chaotic journey you took to get there. Cheers to you, you glorious, gloriously misguided marathoner, you.
The Helpers’ Run
On Saturday, February 24th, we hosted our Helpers’ Run, providing all members with a chance to familiarize themselves with our marathon route before the big race. Given that members are required to assist on race day, this ensures they don’t miss the opportunity to run.
Participants convened bright and early at Edenvale High School, embarking on either the 21km or 15km course. Along the way, they received support from volunteers stationed at three water points: Riaan and Claudette du Plooy at the 5km mark, Susan Bowdler at the 10km mark, and Allison Hart at the 15km mark.
A heartfelt thank you to these individuals for their dedication in keeping our runners nourished, hydrated, and motivated. Thank you to our Chairman, Brendan van Wyk, for driving the route to ensure that our runners arrived safely at the waterpoints.
The event was filled with enjoyment, and everyone relished the morning outing.
RACE RECAP – March
Elands Marathon, 02 March 2024
15 Brave Warriors took to the road to finish this grueling marathon.
Om Die Dam, 16 March 2024
Congratulations to the 9 runners who started and finished Om Die Dam
Beyer Run, 24 March 2024
The Warriors were out in force to claim their chocolate medals and goodie bags.
Library – news
Thank you, Sharon Holton, Mike Caripis and Hazel Moller for your donations.
Please feel free to have a look at the books available and make arrangements with Susan Bowdler, 079 190 5295 if you would like to borrow a book to read or if you would like to make any donations
Community Enrichment
Throughout the past year, the Rand Road Warriors have diligently gathered gently used running gear, which we’ve joyfully contributed to the Gallopers Running Club. With the bin now emptied, we eagerly anticipate refilling it once more. Should you wish to contribute any donations, ranging from shoes to sports bras, kindly reach out to Susan Bowdler (079 190 5295) to coordinate arrangements, or it can be dropped off at no 59,13thAvenue, Edenvale at the offices of Grasses&Greens(Sharon Holton). Additionally, if you’ve acquired a race shirt that doesn’t suit your preferences, we encourage you to consider donating it as well.
Future Events
6-7 April – Irene Running Festival, Irene – 48km, 21.1km, 10km, 5km
7 April – The Alan Robb, Germiston – 32km, 15km
20 April – Tswane North Ultra, Pretoria – 50km, 21.1km, 5km
21 April – BNac Marathon, Benoni – 48km, 42.2km, 21.1km, 10km, 5km
Outside Gauteng
13-14 April – Two Oceans, Cape Town – 56km, 21.1km
20 April – Nashua Loskop – 50km, 21.1km, 4.9km
