Dozens disqualified at Soweto marathon

Dozens of runners at the Old Mutual Soweto Marathon were left fuming on Sunday after being disqualified for transgressing a host of IAAF rules, which meant they left without a medal following a bruising race in unforgiving highveld heat.

But one man, Joe Morris, would not hear the disqualified runners’ story. Morris – who sits on the board of Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) under whose guidance the Soweto Marathon falls – and his technical committee were in an uncompromising mood as they disqualified over 50 runners.

“We disqualified many people who had headsets, in contravention of IAAF’s rule 144.2b, which prohibits the use of headphones in any race,” he said.

Those disqualified included this reporter, with Morris shoving him away from the medals table and ordering him to exit the FNB Stadium after finishing the half-marathon.

“We warn athletes at the start of the race not to use headsets, but they go ahead and use them. They tell us they are mere social runners, but rules are rules ... we have to implement them irrespective of whether you’re an elite or social runner.”

Other runners were disqualified for running with a temporary licence. “That’s not allowed for a marathon ... when you run a marathon, you must have both your licences displayed throughout. Some runners choose to use only one, and when they get disqualified, they claim it fell off during the race. How is that possible when you get four safety pins to secure the licence?” Morris asked.

Non-South African runners are, however, allowed to run with temporary licences.

Those who were disqualified have recourse to file an appeal, but it must be accompanied by a R500 deposit.