Covid-19 uncertainties for runners

Runners generally agree that the Comrades Marathon is the toughest test of human character.

This year, however, the exam could be the athletes keeping their wits about them as they wait to see if (and when) the race will take place in 2020.

The Comrades Marathon, which was scheduled to be run in June, was postponed due to the Covid-19 lockdown.

Runners were preparing for the race when the world was hit by the pandemic forcing all sports in the country to shut down.

Training has been difficult for runners as they were only allowed to start practising on the road on May 4 when the country moved to level four of the lockdown.

‘The runners are lucky to be back on the road now,’ said Carnival Runners’ Coenie van Heerden.

‘It is difficult to train in the house. Now the runners can run 10km to 20km on the road between 6am and 9am. After almost six weeks in house.’

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Carnival had 14 runners who were supposed to take part in the Comrades.

The ordeal has been tough on the runners and their supporters.

‘A lot of us had already paid for our stay in Durban and now we have to forfeit that money because we cancelled,’ said van Heerden.

The local is not happy as he believes the athletes have to book for their accommodation well in advance.

‘Planning must be done months ahead because you are not going to find accommodation if you try to look for it in June,’ he said.

While planning for a place to stay seems like a challenge, preparing training sessions is almost impossible for the runners.

With them not knowing when Comrades will take place it is a problem as runners normally look to structure their training in a way that ensures they reach their peak levels of fitness at the right time.

Van Heerden does not believe the ultimate test of human endurance will take place this year.

‘I doubt it will take place,’ he said.

These are testing times for many people around the world and athletes know this.

‘It is not in our hands,’ said van Heerden.

‘We must hope for the best.’