The influence of Border and later Border and Transkei as interwoven though separate entities in the field of road running cannot be underplayed and when sitting down to pen a relationship between a marathon and Comrades, the most esteemed road race in Africa, the reality of such relationships down the years is clear.
On Sunday, the Tony Viljoen Marathon becomes pivotal to the prospects of runners looking to improving their Comrades Marathon prospects through a good qualifying time and confirming the status of the training programme they may be on.
The late Tony Viljoen was himself a good marathon runner and successful at the two major ultra-marathons where he ran five Comrades with two silver medals, and for Two Oceans, also with two silver medals and a best time of 3:55.
His best marathon was 2:42:31 and he only started road running at the age of 43, which could just be why he started Border Masters in 1979.
Viljoen was twice in the Border veteran’s winning team at the Inter-provincial marathon, which was a Border Marathon Runner’s Association initiative.
On the first occasion, the team also included Buddy Wright and Gerry Loubser, while on the second victory it was Viljoen, Wright and Herman van der Wilt.
It was the Inter Provincial marathon that ushered in the first nonracial teams, with Border having two stalwarts of the sport in their team in Edwin Lwana and Sindile Tshaka, while Lawrence Hlope was in the Natal team.
Having become good friends with all three in the years that followed, I am convinced they should be hailed for who they were and are, rather than for any one event, no matter how momentous an occasion it might have been.
Looking back at the link between local races and great South African marathoners should be enticing to locals to up their game.
Past winners of local races who featured nationally included Alan Robb, also a four-time winner of Comrades, who will be in the Tony Viljoen Marathon field on Sunday.
Robb ran the great ultra on 42 occasions.
Also included are Former SA Marathon Champion Kevin Flanagan, Sam Tshabalala the first black winner of Comrades, Frans Ntaole, and the first black man to win Two Oceans, Vincent Rakabaele, who also represented Lesotho at the Olympic Marathon.
Johnny Halberstadt, Hosea Tjale, who gave Bruce Fordyce a run for his money at successive Comrades races, while Fordyce himself has raced in this region often, are clearly important figures.
Local marathons and a Comrades connection date back to 1955 when Gerald Walsh of Savages in Durban won the first King William’s Town (Qonce) to East London ultra in 3:36:54.
He went on to win Comrades for a second time that same year.
Gordon Shaw, Border’s most successful Comrades runner of all time, with two second positions and a five times winner of the Buffs Marathon is in “town” and is reported to be having lunch with the remnants of the Goons (old-time local runners) and has been invited to join in watching the Tony Viljoen Marathon tomorrow.
Other local Comrades gold medallists who would be welcomed warmly are Jean Rayner, seventh, Stephanie Smith, ninth, and Tammy Bilibana also, ninth, while Melikhaya Sithuba who in 2008 and 2009 finished 12th and 11th would certainly not be out of place.
Tony Viljoen and his long-time friend Trevor Gee, both of whom are no longer with us, would surely smile fondly upon the race.
FOOTNOTE: Last week’s column carried the story of the CARS group who run from Nahoon Beach every Saturday. I did not know what it stood for so the original instigator, Clifton Donald, tells me it is Clifton’s Advanced Running School. He has asked that they change it, but the members have refused.
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