Taming a ‘Monster’ on debut

2010/07/26

BREAKING with convention Carletonville Harriers runner Johannes Bekker ran flat out to obliterate the field and win the Washie 100 ultra-marathon on Saturday morning – and he did not look any the worse for wear.

The 28-year-old athlete was racing in his very first Washie, a torturous endurance race over 160km from Port Alfred to East London, disregarding the conventional thinking a first-timer should be cautious when racing an event that starts at 5pm on Friday and ends the following day.

Bekker won the race in a time of 15:10:36 and when he crossed the finish line did not show any physical discomfort at all. “I am just a bit tired, but it was a great run,” a pleased Bekker said.

“Running in this race for the first time I didn’t know what to expect, and at times during the night I didn’t know where I was. I just carried on. I was scared as hell, but the weather was good and that helped.”

He had no concerns about the cold night air as he often runs in sub-zero temperatures when practising at his home club. He planned a 16hr-race, but was extremely glad he had run well under that time.

FLAT OUT: Johannes Bekker of Carletonville Harriers won the Washie 100 over 160km that ended in East London on Saturday. Pictures: NIGEL LOUW

“I never thought I would be here, but this is such a well-organised race and my clubmates suggested I run it this year,” said Bekker, who is a site foreman at a construction firm.

Bekker had a blistering run and passed the East London Airport around 7.05am, passing the 150km mark in 14hrs, a 12km gap between him and the next runner, Zingisile Marikeni of Correctional Services.

Marikeni was looking strong as he made the turn past the Gulu River Mouth with about 25km still to go and gave a thumbs up as he sped along accompanied by one of his seconds .

The 34-year-old recorded a time of 16:50:25 accompanied by a group of Correctional Services colleagues cheering him on as he entered the Buffs Club. “It was my first time in this race and I am very happy to come second,” a visibly tired Marikeni said.

Bekker’s Carletonville Harriers clubmate Manuel Alves finished third in 17:31:40. Last year’s winner Mogale Piloso came in fourth, clocking 18:40:07.

It was high fives for the belle of the ball, Gail Langley, when she was the first woman home. She ran the race in a time of 18:51:40, but she also reached a few milestones.

She was the first Border woman to win the Washie, as well as the first Buffs woman to win it. She was also the first Border and Buffs woman to finish her fifth Washie, earning her a permanent number.

Langley was accompanied by an entourage of seconds, family members and friends as she strode clutching a bunch of flowers to the finish line.

There was a great cheer and she was so grateful for the moral support that she gave each and every one of the group a hug and a kiss.

“The last 40km was really tough, but running an hour under 20 hours was great,” she said.

“I had absolute great fun. It all went very well and I am ecstatic with my time and also finishing my fifth Washie.” - By KARIEM HASSAN

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