Just over a year ago, Glenrose Xaba confidently said that she was working towards beating the long-standing women’s SA Record for 10km, and this July, she lived up to that promise. Now she is looking to go still faster. – By Tathe Msimango with Sean Falconer
It should have been a triumphant celebration of a job well done – but instead, Comrades Marathon Race & Operations Manager Ann Ashworth has left the organisation, alleging that a smear campaign was mounted against her. We chat to Ann, and get her story about what happened “behind closed doors.” Watch the full video below.
In a social media post, she wrote: “My time at the CMA has come to an end. The Board feels that I lack the necessary leadership and race management abilities to continue to serve as the Race & Operations Manager.” In the comments on the post, responding to a question about what went on behind closed doors, she added “… my job was promised to someone else months ago. That person will resume the position after actively sabotaging me in the office and in the media.”
The Comrades Association later issued a statement confirming that Ann would no longer be in the position: “The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) regrets to announce the departure of Ann Ashworth from her role as the Comrades Marathon Race & Operations Manager with immediate effect. We wish to thank her for her contribution to a highly successful race.”
The CMA also addressed what’s come to be known as “Vanillagate” (after a board member put out a public call for more people to register as members of the association so it was no longer “all vanilla”. In its statement, association chairperson Mqondisi Ngcobo was quoted as saying that the “so-called ‘Vanillagate’ saga has no bearing on (Ann’s) departure”.
Elsewhere in the statement the CMA quoted its Constitution, stating that the board is not able to remove a member. But legendary coach Norrie Williamson, in a social media post, contradicted this, saying the constitution allows any board member to be suspended and given a hearing to answer to charges, including those of bringing the CMA into disrepute or acting against its interests.
This is the latest in a series of pressure points for the Comrades. Last year’s cut-off debacle angered many. But, by all accounts from runners and the community at large, Ann did a good job and ushered in a lot of positive changes this year. Was it perfect? No – but no race is.
So where to from here? Our advice is to get as many runners as possible to join the CMA. This is the only possible way to have a say in the future of the race, including the selection of board members.
CMA Membership is open to individuals 18 years and older who are either active runners, active volunteers, or retired/longstanding runners/volunteers, who subscribe to the objectives of CMA and wish to participate in its activities in compliance with the CMA Constitution, vision and values.
To be eligible to vote at the 2024 AGM your membership application and membership fee of R100 must be received by no later than 30 June 2024.
We chat with the 2024 Comrades Marathon winner Piet Wiersma. His journey to this years race, how he overcame coming second last year, and his future plans!
We chat to Gerda Steyn about her 2024 Up Run Record and win, her goals for this year’s Olympics and her journey to becoming a professional runner! Its a must-watch!
The news that Stephen Mokoka has joined the Hollywood Athletics Club will, quite appropriately, see one of the all-time greats of SA running – running royalty, if you like – donning the regal colour of purple in his local races in 2024. – By Sean Falconer and Manfred Seidler
Go, Shortie!
Thanks to a changing approach to road running around the world, there is a growth taking place at the moment in shorter races, notably street miles and official 5km races. We decided to look at a few of these races, some now well established, some brand new, and how they are bringing an exciting new challenge, and a change in perceptions, to the South African race calendar. – By Sean Falconer
The new (well, almost new) World Road Running Championships took place this month, and besides heralding an exciting new chapter in global road running, the event proved a hugely successful outing for Team South Africa. – By Riel Hauman & Sean Falconer
Against the backdrop of Table Mountain and the bustling Cape Town cityscape, runners of all ages, backgrounds and fitness levels come together in the annual ‘must-do’ Absa Run Your City CAPE TOWN 10K. – By Nicole Hayes
During the recent Johnson Crane Half Marathon in Joburg, 80-year-old Dr Reinie ‘Dok’ Mornet achieved the remarkable feat of completing his 600th half marathon! – By Sean Falconer
I am, unfortunately, still a grumpy old Running Mann, due to a persistent and lingering injury, which means no new race reports for now, but the time away from the road is giving me plenty of time to run statistics, so here is my 2022 Marathon Running Year in Review. By Stuart Mann