Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Trail runners off to champs despite sports spat
SEVEN of South Africa’s top trail athletes fly out next week to compete in the fourth World Ultra-distance Trail Running Championships in Wales.
The Proteas team of three men and four women will race a testing five-lap 75km course in Gwydyr Forest, near Llanwrst in North Wales next Saturday, and even without the top two qualifiers, hopes are high that the South Africans will give a good account of themselves.
The spat between Athletics South Africa and the SA Sports Confederation & Olympic Committee (Sascoc) has also hurt trail running, with the athletes having to cover their costs for the event in the uncertain hope of possible future compensation, but the team is determined to put sport politics behind them and concentrate on what they do best – running.
Pretoria athlete Dirk Cloete joins Western Cape athletes Charl Souma and Christiaan Greyling in the men’s event with George- based Janine Smith and KwaZulu-Natal athlete, Tracy Zunckel joining the Cape pair of Landie Greyling and Linda Doke in the women’s section.
Nic de Beer and Will Robinson filled the top two places in the 76km qualifying trail race at Addo in March, but neither will be in action for the Proteas.
Robinson, who competed for South Africa at the last championships in Ireland in 2011, was forced out through illness, while De Beer’s withdrawal is primarily linked to the absence of funding for the athletes, although his struggle to overcome a minor injury also played a role.
Vastly experienced and tough as nails trail runner, Linda Doke from Hout Bay, has raced trails in many corners of the globe and her experience and guidance will certainly prove an asset to the team.
Her selection to run for South Africa is a dream come true. An injury prevented her from being in contention for selection for the last World Championships, and she is determined to make the most of this opportunity.
“I am thrilled to run for South Africa and wear the Green and Gold,” admitted Doke. “It’s a great privilege. Although there have been some challenges prior to getting to Wales, I am determined to make the most of the opportunity. Altus (Schreuder, the team manager) has been doing a superb job, juggling many balls to make it all happen and to keep us together as a team.”
Known as one of the toughest in the business, Doke is determined not to allow a foot “niggle” to limit her racing potential at the World Champs.
Fortunately a pain in her sesamoid bone has proved to be the result of inflammation, not a stress fracture as had been feared.
“I have been cleared to run by my specialist – it will not exacerbate the injury,” emphasised Doke.
Schreuder, head of ASA’s Trail Running Commission, has no illusions that his role as manager will be a tough one.
“Ideally we would have come together as a team in South Africa prior to the event,” admitted Schreuder, but with athletes having to fund themselves, this has not been possible.
“We will meet in North Wales on Thursday and for four days we will be a close-knit team, thrilled to be representing our country and determined to make the best impression at the championship.
“Fortunately the team are mostly experienced travellers and have the maturity to cope with the additional pressures which have been placed on us.
“It has been difficult getting information on the course, as the original venue was ruled out by the conservation authority.
“I’m expecting Dirk Cloete will do well – he is currently in top shape. In the women’s race Landie Greyling has the potential to finish high up the field, but the competition is likely to be very strong.”