Bongmusa eyes 100km podium
SUPPORT: COMRADES CHAMP BACKS EMBATTLED ASA
Wesley Bo
Pon
reparing to lead a depleted team at the 100km World Championships in Sveti today, ultra-distance runner Bongmusa Mthembu stood up in defence of Athletics South Africa (ASA) this week after the national federation had been widely criticised for its alleged lack of support in the build-up to the biennial event.
The majority of the athletes included in the preliminary national team ultimately withdrew from the squad, including Comrades Marathon women’s winner Ann Ashworth, who was facing disciplinary action after speaking out against the federation.
And while ASA received widespread criticism for giving the athletes only three months to prepare for a gruelling ultra-distance contest, Mthembu said he had hoped to be included in the SA team and had started his season with the World Championships at the back of his mind. He also praised ASA for providing financial support to the team in the build-up to this weekend’s race.
“This is a global event and I want this to be part of the legacy I leave behind,” Mthembu said.
“So whether or not it was in my plans, I must grab each opportunity that comes with both hands.”
After securing his third victory at the 90km Comrades race in June, Mthembu was confident he had both recovered and prepared sufficiently for the global championships.
Having broken Bruce Fordyce’s long-standing SA record by clocking 6:24:05 to earn individual silver and team gold in the men’s race at the previous edition of the ultra-distance showpiece in Los Alcazares two years ago, he believed he could challenge for a podium place once again.
He also felt another team medal was on the cards.
“The preparation I did for Comrades is still in my body, so it was important for me to do recovery training, and my body has responded well,” Mthembu said.
“We have all trained hard, we have prepared well, and I think we are ready.”