Three friends from Cape Town tackled a 100km road run – further than any of them had ever run before – to raise funds for a non-profit that looks after abandoned babies, and they took their sense of humour with them. We spoke to the intrepid trio of Angelo Adams, Esmund Van Wyk and Merlin Galant about their run, and we also have a humorous ‘race report’ by Angelo.
– By PJ Moses
The South African men’s 4x100m relay team dared to dream full well, knowing they will face obstacles, make mistakes and be criticised, but in the end, trust trumps all. That is why they are world champions.
On Sunday the 2nd of May, 2021, Thando Dlodlo, Gift Leotlela, Clarence Munyai and Akani Simbine won the gold medal at the World Relay Championships in Poland. The heroics can be described with one word. Guts! Simbine’s run over the last 100 metres coming from behind to pip Brazil’s Paulo de Oliveira on the finish line gave new meaning to making every centimetre count.
The Tuks based Leotlela attributed their heroics to hard work, belief, confidence and trust. “If a team has got that, there are no limits. Throughout the championships, the weather was atrocious. During our final, the temperature was 7 degrees. It drizzled as well. But we knew the weather is as it is. There is nothing we can do about it. All we had to do is trust each other. I think that is what got us through the race. The speed was there. Our challenge was to pass the baton without making mistakes.”
An ecstatic Simbine described it as doing the “job”. “We came to Poland with the idea to win a medal. And we did.” As to his duel over the last 100 metres, Simbine said, “I knew it was going to be tough. The thing I had going for me was being confident. I knew I could catch up.”
The Tuks based South African 100 metres champion certainly did not lack motivation. During Saturday’s heats, Italy’s Filippo Tortu outsprinted Simbine. He did not take too kindly to it as he was not racing to finish second. Especially when he represents his country. He vowed it was not going to happen again. Simbine’s split in yesterday’s final was 9.08s.
According to the Tuks based Dlodlo, he can become used to the idea of being part of a world champions team. “I won’t mind if we can do so at every championship. But we also need to be realistic. Our race was far from perfect. There are things we need to improve on.”
It is the first time the South African 4x100m men’s relay team medalled at the World Relays. Morné Nagel, Corné du Plessis, Lee-Roy Newton and Matthew Quinn did get gold during the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton, Canada, but only after the USA got disqualified. Tim Montgomery tested positive for a banned substance.
Unfortunately, according to Quinn, their heroics did not ignite a relay culture in South Africa. “We now have that. It is because of Paul Gorries (national relay coach)’s passion. He is building a great culture. The athletes have bought into his vision. “Last night’s win was incredible for the team. It was about creating that winning culture. It is essential going into the Tokyo Games.”
Quinn does not doubt the team will continue to be a force in world relays. “At the moment, I think only Akani and Gift are in shape. Clarence has just recovered from an injury. Luxolo Adams and Henricho Bruintjies are injured. Emile Erasmus has yet to reach his best form, as has Thando. The competition for places is going to bring out the best in our athletes.”
Watch how the team raced to victory below, courtesy of the World Athletics YouTube Channel
Today, adidas introduces the evolution of its long-standing brand attitude Impossible Is Nothing. SEEING POSSIBILITIES – as told in bold, human films – is about rebellious optimism, rooted in the purpose from adidas in the power of sports to change lives.
Told in the documentary style of home footage, the series of 20 films provides a previously unseen side to some of the most documented individuals in the world, enabled via a powerful narrative delivered by friends or fellow athletes, and animated via resurfaced footage from the archives.
To adidas, Impossible is Nothing is a way of seeing the world for what it can be, not as it is. It is an attitude shared by its community and its partners.
Featuring previously unseen intimate moments, it follows stories in sport and culture, showing how optimism and action has shaped their lives. Exploring the future they imagined for themselves and making it a reality, the series celebrates the trailblazers that have made history on a global stage.
Beyonce saw the possibilities of inviting all of us to find our voice. To use her platform as a stage to celebrate our differences with all people.
Siya Kolisi the first Black captain of the South African Rugby team, saw the possibilities to lead his nation to victory at the 2019 World Cup, securing a win that stretched beyond the rugby pitch of Japan and touched the lives – and hearts – of all South Africans.
Tiffanny Abreu, the first trans woman to play in the Brazilian Volleyball Superliga, saw possibilities to return to the court, and inspire us all to embrace our own identities and live out who we are with courage.
Demonstrating how this attitude lives within adidas, several of the films explore innovative design:
Reimagining how the adizero Adios Pro could be a world-record beating distance shoe
Or how to help end plastic waste in collaboration with Parley’s CEO Cyrill Gutsch.
Other films in the Series:
Egyptian footballer Mo Salah,
Indian sprinter Hima Das,
French footballer Paul Pogba
Indian actor Ranveer Singh.
Brian Grevy Executive Board Member, Global Brands, adidas: ‘Impossible is Nothing is more than a campaign – it’s our attitude. Seeing possibilities with optimism is key to achieving our purpose of changing lives through the power of sport. This attitude is what inspires us every day and is pushing us to build the future.’
The episodic content series kicks off 19 April, with new stories dropping throughout autumn and into winter. Follow the #ImpossibleIsNothing conversation on @adidasZA and www.adidas.co.za, as more of the local adidas family share their stories too.
Recently we started a feature called “Runners High,” each month we publish a great running pic of a great running place, supplied by you, our readers.
This month we’re on the Sea Point Promenade, with a pic taken by the incredibly talented Jeff Ayliffe.
Do you want your running pic featured? We’re always looking for contributions, so feel free send us your pic by mailing it to [email protected]
The Experience (as seen on Facebook):
Jeff Ayliffe: I waited a while to get the moment of wave impact and a runner in frame.
Derrick Frazer: Did you get the same runner to keep running past?
Jeff Ayliffe: Nope, just waited, hoping for a random bit of luck.
Dean Hopf: Mari Bester, it is you!
Mari Bester: Whattttt!!!! Crazy! Dankie vir dit!!!
Jeff Ayliffe: I actually nearly chased you to see if you wanted me to send it, but I thought it would make me a bit of a stalker. I was hoping someone would recognise you.
Mari Bester: Thank you so much for the photo, Jeff. I love it!
Gert Wilkins: Mmmm, Jeff, I wonder if you would be able to catch her.
The March edition dives right into motivational overdrive, with Karoline Hanks chasing the 13 Peaks women’s record while raising funds for 13 turtle hatchlings to be rehabilitated and returned to the ocean, and Raydon Balie winning a sponsorship deal that will help him turn his running talent into a successful running career.
Also look out for the big feature on roadies versus trailers in our AFRICANX preview piece, and read how track star Berend Koekemoer has made an inspirational comeback.
What better way to start your winter training than with a Trojan SPIN 120 exercise bike, valued at R3000! Thanks to Trojan, you could be the lucky winner spinning your way into winter with this amazing prize.
But Wait, there’s more!
There will also be five hampers up for grabs, full of Trojan goodies, to make your exercise regime a dream!
And all you need to do to be put into the draw for these wonderful prizes is fill in the survey below.
Conditions may have not been the greatest in the Xiamen Sienna Tuscany Elite Marathon that took place in Sienna, Italy, however phenomenal tenacity and runs were shown by Nedbank running club athletes, Gerda Steyn and Irvette van Zyl, with Gerda breaking the National record and Irvette running a PB!
In the women’s race, teammates Gerda Steyn and Irvette Van Zyl, both coached by Nedbank running club national team manager Nick Bester, arrived in Italy with a clear goal. Although not stated before, Gerda was eyeing Colleen de Reuck’s national marathon record of 2:26:35 after narrowly missing out on it last year in London whilst Irevette was looking to run a new personal best and dip under the automatic Olympic Marathon qualifying time of 2:29:30. Both runners did not disappoint.
Running virtually on their own the entire race, Steyn set out at a high 2:25 projected finish time with Van Zyl maintaining a projected finish of 2:27. As the lapped course went on, it was clear that both were witnessing something special as they started to pick off runners ahead of them who were starting to struggle.
With 5km to go, it was clear that both were on track, as Gerda powered through to the finish to not only record a new personal best but smash the national record to finish in a time of 2:25:28. Irevette bravely held on behind her to finish in 2:28:40, also smashing her previous best and booking an automatic Olympic qualifying time to boot.
“We ran and we fought, and we did it,” said an elated Gerda after the race. “I am super happy with my time of 2:25:28 after narrowly missing out last year on the record. There is so much to say about the experience but for now, I want to celebrate PBS’s with Irvette!”
An elated Irvette also expressed gratitude and thanks for her race. “It’s all smiles for myself and Gerda after today’s run and I could not be prouder today of being a South African,” said Irvette. “After being so close to quitting the sport after the 2016 Rio Olympics as well as recent operations I don’t have words to describe right now but there are so many people I am thankful for who made this all possible.”
In the men’s race the Nedbank running club had three athletes taking part which consisted of Namibian Tomas Reinhold and Zimbabwean’s Ngodzinashe Ncube and Isaac Mpofu. Starting off in the Olympic hopeful’s bunch that set off at a projected 2:11 finish which was under the automatic 2:11:30 time needed, all three looked great up until 30km when the race really began as many an elite runner would say.
Tomas faired best of the three, speeding up over the last 10km to record a personal best of 2:10:24 and qualify for the Olympic Games. Ngodzinashe just missed out over the last 5km but was still rewarded with a personal best time of 2:12:25 with fellow countrymen Issac also earning a new personal best in 2:13:31.
“The goal coming into this race was simple,” said Bester. “Gerda was going for the SA record and Irvette to qualify for the Olympics and they did exactly that, so I am very happy!” Taking into consideration the conditions, Bester feels that they are even capable of a lot more. “Look the conditions and the fact that they ran entirely on their own does not show the true time on the clock. I am certain that in better favorable conditions and more athletes around them, they would have run even faster but at the end of the day they executed exactly what was planned, and I am extremely happy with their performance. Now they will have some hard-earned rest and then the training starts again as we look towards the Olympic Games.”
See below for an interview with Vaylin Kirtly on Morning Live!
The BackYard Ultra (BYU) requires athletes to run 6.7 kays every hour, on the hour, for as long as possible, until the last man standing is the winner. Murray & Roberts’ Wandisile Ngodlwana did that for 31 hours non-stop, winning the title of the inaugural event in the new series at Van Gaalen’s Farm in the Magaliesberg, on a testing route. That meant he covered an astonishing 208km, and what made the performance even more astounding was that the thermometer passed the 36-degree mark at midday… not once, but twice! No wonder the pay-off line for the race is “One More Lap!”
A recent post on Facebook by one of South Africa’s former greats, Tebogo Masehla, lamented the fact that athletes should not rely on the sport of athletics as a long-term career, but should have a back-up plan to fall back on. Many railed against Tebogo, saying that it is indeed possible to make a career out of the sport
The natural environment is vitally important to all of us, but the way we live and the resources we use cause widespread damage to it. Fortunately, there are dedicated people working to protect and conserve the environment, including a number of incredible people from within the running community. This month we focus on Cape Town trail runner and environmental campaigner Karoline Hanks, who set a second women’s FKT (Fastest Known Time) for the 13 Peaks Challenge, and she did it all to help efforts to rehabilitate and conserve turtles.
While he enjoyed much success in trail running in his younger days, Raydon Balie now has his sights set firmly on chasing success on the road, and the recent announcement that he had won a gear sponsorship and brand ambassador role from Under Armour has just motivated him still further.