Show respect for the Two Oceans brand

Organisers of the Two Oceans ultra-marathon have been left scrambling in an attempt to clear the event’s name in recent weeks, with the embattled race taking multiple knocks to its image.

And while there are undoubtedly issues which have left entrants unsure about the future of the event in recent years, those in charge might do better to hit the brakes than to leap to their own defence.

Granted, it’s not like the Two Oceans has done itself any favours with some of the antics we’ve witnessed, largely due to poor communication.

More concerning, perhaps, have been the accusations levelled against the Two Oceans board of directors for alleged poor governance and maladministration.

Some potentially sneaky deals involving executive members have been questioned due to a conflict of interest (though this has been denied) and new sponsors seem reluctant to commit to the race, which was once a beacon for road running in the Western Cape.

The organisers went out of their way this week to allay fears regarding the quality of this year’s event, highlighting various issues in a lengthy statement.

It seemed, however, that they were more concerned about reacting to one man’s finger pointing, which looks to have resulted in a full independent investigation into the organisation.

Not that he’s necessarily wrong, but former Athletics SA president James Evans is generally referred to as “disgraced” when his name is printed in the media.

A man who seems to be able to fix all the world’s problems but his own, he is back on the battle ground, no doubt hoping that by

Wesley Bo on

discrediting those in control he might be able to reclaim some honour.

To be clear, if people are stealing, sack them and call the cops, and if they can’t do their jobs (even as volunteers) they should be replaced.

The ongoing allegations are concerning, as is the general state of the Two Oceans, but these issues can be resolved with enough time and effort from the right people.

Most recently, reports that this year’s race had been extended by two kilometres may seem like a minor issue, but it is at the heart of the problem.

When City of Cape Town officials demanded extensions to the route because people needed to get to work on a Saturday, they should have been put firmly in their place for disrespecting an institution of South African sport.

A race which has always been held over the same 56km distance will now apparently be run over 58km, and the country’s athletics purists have been left screaming “sacrilege!” in disgust.

In New York, London and Tokyo, there are annual 42km races, and on race day they shut down some of the busiest streets in the world.

In Cape Town, the Two Oceans has always been given the same respect as the second largest ultra-distance race around the globe.

Again, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to worry about.

The race is no doubt going through a troubled period.

But the path to redemption does not begin with buckling to unreasonable demands from traffic officials. Nor does it start by reacting to the rants of a man who has lost the credibility to complain.

The Two Oceans ultra-marathon is a world-class event that needs to be cracked into shape, and it starts with the need to respect the brand from within.

The race existed before many of us got here, and if the brand is given the respect it deserves, it will be here long after we’re gone.

Traffic cops and disgraced administrators should not be able to make any real impact on such a popular event in an attempt to suit their own agendas and boost their egos.

Unless you allow them of course. Then they’ll tear it to the ground.