Buffalo Sports Club, East London, SA

Sunday, 05 September 2010

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Washie 2010

Be proud of the Washie

It’s time to make sure this great event goes on for the long haul.

It’s time to stand up and be proud of the Washie — really proud.
Not just Buffs proud, but East London proud, Eastern Cape proud and South African proud.
The Washie is the oldest and most prestigious ultra ultra marathon on the South African racing calendar.
It is nearly twice as long as the world famous Comrades, run annually between Durban and Pietermaritzburg.
For 34 years it has been regarded as an ultimate in road running achievement, commitment and courage, and on Friday, July 23, men and women athletes in peak condition will again try to complete the gruelling and undulating 100 miles (160km) between Port Alfred and East London. And for 34 years this unique ultra ultra has been organised by a small and dedicated group of unpaid volunteer members of the Buffalo Road Runners Club, doing their own administration, marketing, securing of sponsorships, and attending to the thousand and one queries and problems that crop up. If the Buffs can count on the valuable support of athletes and officials from outside the club, and the necessary cash help from sympathetic companies, (though no really big sponsorships) there has been little government or official recognition at city or regional level of the importance of the Washie to the area. It is one of the few Eastern Cape sporting events that has regularly appeared on a world network site. The respect it has earned and the accompanying much needed publicity it has gained for the region has been very much taken for granted, and perhaps even been ignored officially. No figurative pat on the back from a Mayor, not a nod in their direction from the provincial premier’s office. And certainly no financial aid. It is time for further development of the long established Washie,with acknowledgement that it is and will remain a Buffs’ institution. But there could be a case for government grant or help, a substantial sponsorship that will enable the Buffs to offer luring cash prizes, (there are none now), in addition to the cherished Washie track suit tops and handmade wooden trophies, and wider community support. The historic Washie 100 should go for 50 — and then a 100, years that is. But it could need more than a little help from friends.

Butch Duffey . . . going for 20

The Buffs’ Motorbake and Cape Cladding Washie 100 this year will introduce an innovative 50-miler, or halfway Washie, to stimulate interest and familiarity with the route, and perhaps encourage finishers to attempt the full ultra later. The Griffin 50 (the Buffs’ emblem is a griffin) will start at the halfway mark at five am on Saturday morning, July 24. Early entries to the full ultra include Buffs’ member Butch Duffey, who will be trying to finish an astonishing 20th Washie, and another opular Buff, previous winner, Ashley Mentoor, going for his 15th.
The durable John Magagane, who has won the Washie three times, is going for ten as is Jimmy Parsons, of South Coast Striders.
Apart from the run itself, the Washie is noted for its traditionally warm and hospitable award ceremony, engendering the camaraderie, on the Sunday morning after the race. The 34th Washie starts at 5pm on Friday, July 23, from the Port Alfred Sports Club. Finish at Buffalo Club, East London. Cut-off time: 26 hours.
More details van be found on the web site:
www.buffsclub.co.za/running