From conquering cycling nationals and ironman, Moodie is now a Comrades medalist
Being at the start was magical. It was like how everyone explained it would be. Listening to shosholoza, the rooster and national anthem and the Chariots of Fire was magical."
“Such a small medal for such a big race,” joked Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC) and Comrades Marathon novice Casper Moodie about his Bill Rowan medal received during the ultimate human race on June 11.
Moodie was among the BNAC’s 28 novice runners at the world’s oldest marathon. He finished the race in 08:44:03 on his first attempt.
Although an easy shift for Moodie, he endured a tough second half of the race after not observing one of the most important rituals in the Comrades.
He forgot to ask for five-time Comrades winner, Arthur Newton’s blessings when he passed the legendary Arthur’s seat, which is reputed to have been Newton’s resting spot during his training runs, just after Drummond.
Runners have to leave a flower or doff their cap and greet Newton with the words, “Good morning, Arthur”. Failure to do this, the superstition warns that you will have a catastrophic second half of the race, which is what almost happened to Moodie.
“I missed that spot completely. I knew it because the people who ran Comrades before told me to bow or leave a flower when I got there or take my hat off. Maybe it’s why I struggled in the last 20km,” he said.
The triathlete and national cycling champion strolled to the finish and got into the Kingsmead Cricket Stadium on time for his first medal.
“The race went well. Being at the start was magical. It was like how everyone explained it would be. Listening to Shosholoza, the rooster and national anthem and the Chariots of Fire was magical.”
Moodie explained his build-up was “quite a story” as he participated in the national criterium, road and time trial championships in Oudtshoorn where he won a gold medal in his category, in February. In March he took part in the Ironman 70.3 in Gqeberha.
Although he didn’t achieve his mileage goal, the fitness from the cycling and mental strength gained from the triathlon helped him push through.
“You go through stages during the race where, not for once you think of stopping and quitting, but wonder how you are going to maintain it. But the crowd along the route draws you in and before you know it, you are left with only 20km,” Moodie said.
He and his friend had planned to run for a silver medal and were in the sub-7:30 bus at the start, but soon realised he won’t keep up.
“We ran comfortably until 30km into the race and I knew then that comfort wouldn’t last for all 87km. At 38km, I decided to drop my pace and run my race.”
His nutrition, fitness and mental toughness got him through the toughest parts of the course and eventually got to the finish as the 18th BNAC athlete to cross the line.
“I wanted to do one but two minutes after I finished, straight away I said I’m doing it again,” he said.
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