Braced for big push to tame the ‘Monster’
The pedigree of most of the runners is difficult to gauge at this stage
A record novice field may well produce a new hero
The ELB Washie 100-miler is attracting a meaningful number of novice runners and it makes for an intriguing match-up this weekend, between the newbies and the smaller field of veterans, or at least returning runners.
The event, which this year starts in the unfamiliar surrounds of Cathcart, will be run through Friday night, into Saturday morning and, in the bulk of cases, well into the afternoon and even early evening.
The pedigree of most of the runners is difficult to gauge at this stage, but as information trickles through we will give a full synopsis on the chances of potential leading candidates in a follow-up article.
The question all interested students of the Washie are asking is, can any of the class of 2018 meet the outstanding performances of a few runners who will forever have their names ingrained in the history of the Washie.
The likes of the first man to break 14 hours, indeed smash the barrier was the late Len Keating who, at different times in his life, ran for both RAC and Celtic Harriers.
In 1978 he won the second ever Washie in 13:34:36 in RAC colours.
In 1984 he won in 13:32:37 in the Celtic green.
In 1981 a dynamo, short in stature and strong of will, Manie Saayman from Vaal AC, arrived unannounced and won in a commanding 13:48:05.
One year later and Saayman smashed the race, as opposed to the course record with a massive performance, finishing in 13:13:38.
In 1983, during the core of the apartheid era, Thomas Gxakaza of Ciskei Joggers became the second black winner after Tammy Bilibana, who won in 1980.
Bilibana recorded a time of 15:23:04 in what is regarded as the worst weather conditions in the history of the race.
Driving rain and strong westerly winds on the course drove runners backwards at times, in a year that the race finished in Port Alfred.
Gxakaza made use of much friendlier conditions, and an East London finish at the Buffs Club, when he returned an impressive 13:14:56.
Sadly the South African environment of the time had people casting doubt upon the Ciskei Jogger’s athlete, ignoring the fact that he was without doubt the fastest runner over the marathon distance to have run Washie at that time.
Saayman would go on to win again in 1985, 86 and 87 to record five wins.
It would take many years for the likes of Keating, Gxakaza and Saayman to be seen again.
That happened when Johan van der Merwe gave notice that he was coming to Washie to chase the record.
That was in 2012 and he achieved his goal, winning in a new race record of 13:07:05.
He would go on to win the race five times with emphatic wins in 2013, 14,15 and 17.
There are many other winners and contestants who have forged a tapestry that is the Washie 100-miler, some of whom will be on the road come Friday night.
And then there are those who were integral to the race but who have recently departed.
Elton Cloete, Barry Steidlen and Brian Rehse will be top of the list for many who have been in the engine-room of Washie over many years.