Let me count the reasons

WHY, many will ask, is the Buffs THE marathon to run?

For one thing, the Hemingways Buffalo Marathon and Half Marathon which takes place today for the 44th time, is perfectly situated on the running calendar.

Perfect as a qualifying race for Comrades or Two Oceans, or perhaps simply perfect for a personal best marathon.

For local runners, Buffs is ideal in many ways, not least of all for having home support, home comforts and indeed, local course knowledge.

The East London climate too is far superior to the other race options at this time of year.

It’s humid but seldom unbearably so.

Pietermaritzburg, the venue for another marathon on Buffs weekend, is likely to be severe in respect of both heat and humidity, while as we know, the Peninsula was virtually blown away last weekend. Then there is Secunda, billed as flat and fast, but last year the winning men’s time was 2 hours 44 minutes and only nine men broke three hours. There is nothing fast about that.

The Cango Caves Marathon is also reportedly fast with some long downhill sections but Oudtshoorn at this time of year is extremely hot and dry.

Long-term forecasts are not that accurate but East London is scheduled to offer a mild 22-23ºC with a gentle breeze from across and behind.

The route offers an overall drop in altitude but the anomaly is that most of the climbing on offer comes during the final 6km.

Most visitors, be they from other coastal centres or the hinterland, run personal bests at Buffs. Runners from altitude simple love it. It is a bit like coming to South Africa from the UK with pounds to spend – you get so much more.

The same applies to Gauteng-based runners who end up with a surplus of oxygen they are not always sure what to do with when they visit East London.