Landmarks 2008 photo's!

Monday 17/11/2008

NT opted to take photo's instead of run Landmarks yesterday!

This is the first time I've heard Niel (Ratso) admit defeat. His a Celtic Harrier runner undergoing cancer treatment and will be missing Winelands (sub 5 pacesetter) because the medicines they injected him last week physically weakened him. We are keeping you in our prayers and those who know you will be running in your honour Saturday!

Ratso wrote:

Eish - the way things are standing at the moment I might have to give this one a miss too. The word "Depressed" doesn't quite capture my mood right now - I am worried this is the beginning of the end of my running and the end of the rest is sure to follow soon after. I am fully expecting an exponential decline once I can't run anymore.

Ratso wrote a more positive response to the panic he caused Monday :-)

Wednesday 19/11/2008

Temporary Licences for the Old Mutual Two Oceans 56km ultra marathon

In an effort to make the exciting sport of road running more appealing and accessible to the masses, a bold decision has been taken in order to explore new opportunities in what has become a stereotypical vision to the sport, particularly on the ultra running scene. This is certainly something that is required in a sport that is under pressure for a piece of the pie from other sporting codes and further entrenches the mood for the new emerging market of runners and how they perceive the current sporting structures and systems. More importantly, it is to captivate and keep them in the sport, instead of losing them to another sporting code.

As per the ASA rule 13.4 (see attached) the decision regarding temporary licences rests solely with the host province. No rule exists that states temporary licences cannot be issued for any distance greater than 42km. Therefore, it could be argued that in terms of the ASA rule, if the event is sanctioned then temporary licences should be available and that WP would be acting contrary to ASA rules by NOT making them available. Fortunately, WPA has been pro-active in this regard and at the council meeting in October they approved the request to make temporary licences available for the 56km.

For example, this year we were faced with a scenario where two security guards wanted to run the 56km. They do not earn a substantial salary and 75% of their monthly salary would have gone towards joining a club, purchasing the club colours and then paying the race entry fee. We feel we are not in a position to discriminate against them by excluding them from a sport and an event that they really want to participate in, but don’t have the financial capacity to do so. In addition, this also goes against ASA’s mandate to make the sport accessible to ALL.

The Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon actively contributes to the sport by introducing approximately 6 500 temporary runners to the 21km each year. The question that needs to be asked of the clubs is: “What are they doing to captivate and include these runners into their respective club structures?” and what are the clubs doing for or offering their members to ensure retention and sustainability?

All clubs who present their respective races, be it over 15/21/32/42km make provision for temporary licences, so why should the Two Oceans Marathon be excluded based on the statement “that’s how it’s always been done in the past”, considering no ASA rule exists to substantiate this claim?

This decision is certainly NOT an attempt to make additional money, as might be believed to be the case. In any effect, entrance fees should never make up more than 10% of the overall race budget with all temporary licence fees going to the host province and the race organisers do not benefit financially at all. If this were the case then the race would certainly not have shifted the qualifying period, thereby effectively “shooting themselves in the foot”.

Conversely, Two Oceans Marathon does realise and acknowledge the role that clubs do play in the sport, and for this reason shifted the qualifying period for the 2009 event to start from 1 September 2008. What this effectively means is that we are driving runners to run road races, which in many instances are the main source of revenue for the clubs’ sustainability. In the past runners could use their Two Oceans Marathon from the previous year as their qualifier and then possibly not run another race again until the following Two Oceans Marathon.

The landscape of the running market is evolving dramatically and to ensure sustainability, a concerted effort to keep abreast with these changes is of vital importance. Ten to fifteen years ago, it was considered an absolute must to run an ultra, unfortunately that is not the case today. Too many other sports such as triathlon, trail running, adventure racing, extreme sports etc. are stealing our market share and the time has now come to look outside the box and move with the times. The future of the sport is with the recreational runner or non-club member, with the club runner market appearing to stagnate.

I hope that this explanation gives the required clarity on mapping the way forward. I would also like to add that this is a trial for 2009 and the position will be reviewed for 2010. It must be noted that this decision was approved by WPA, who is the custodian of the sport, and to whom we are affiliated. Two Oceans Marathon is not mandated to make this decision on its own accord. As the decision rests with WPA any representation should be lodged with them and not with the race.

Running regards

Rowyn JamesRace Director: Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon

GavinW wrote:

My concern is that the club system will suffer as a fair amount of runners only join clubs so that they can run Oceans and Comrades. Sure some will join anyway if they are active enough to warrant not purchasing a temp licence, but if clubs start losing members it will become increasinly hard for those clubs to stage quality races with fewer members and either races will dissapear from the calendar(not nesesarilly a bad thing) or become not as well organised (a bad thing) Just my 2c worth

SeanF wrote:

Another point that I raised in my debate with Mike, and one I have mixed feelings about. I reckon many of those members who join clubs just to get a licence number to run the big ultra's are unlikely to volunteer to help at their club's races to begin with, so this may not actually affect the number or quality of races on the calendar - although I could be wrong here.

ChrisG wrote:

The sale of Temps is a trial for 2009 and will be reviewed thereafter. The more FACTS (as opposed to opinions) clubs can present about membership patterns the more informed that review will be. Sale of Temps is a decision by the WPA council so ultimately it is the clubs that hold the power. So happens that they voted in favour of selling Temps for 2009.