SA sport meets the challenge

South Africans love a challenge … and the harder the test, the more we seem to want to prove ourselves, so it is hardly surprising that South Africa plays host to some of the biggest and toughest ultra-distance races in the world.

In a couple of weeks’ time, the 52^nd aQuelle Midmar Mile takes place with over 12 000 swimmers with vastly different abilities taking to the water for the world’s largest open-water event.

Then, just four weeks later, 35 000 cyclists ride around the spectacular Cape Peninsula in the Cape Town Cycle Tour (which you probably cannot stop referring to as "The Argus") in the world's largest individually timed cycle race.

In early June, the world’s largest and oldest ultra-marathon, the Comrades Marathon, is run by 18 000 runners in a quest to complete the gruelling 90 km route between Pietermartizburg and Durban…and we will still not even be halfway through the year yet!

So why are these races so popular?

South Africa, like most of the continent is a land of great challenges, but it also offers great opportunities. The psychologists tell us that South Africans often face difficulties head on due to their history of overcoming adversity. This has instilled a strong sense of resilience and a "maak 'n plan" mentality.

South Africans are proactive and find creative ways to deal with difficult situations and solve problems, even when faced with limitations. This has led to a cultural appreciation for pushing through challenges and achieving goals despite obstacles.

With this mindset of effort and reward, it is maybe then not surprising that the country should host some of the world’s biggest and most gruelling endurance sports events. And thus forcing athletes to put their physical and mental stamina to the ultimate test in a quest to make it to the finish line.

And then of course there is the spirit of ubuntu, which is integral to the South African psyche.

Translated ubuntu means “I am because we are” or "humanity towards others." It is deeply rooted in African philosophy and emphasizes the importance of community, inter-connectedness, compassion, and shared humanity. If you ever want proof that ubuntu is real, you only have to be at the roadside during the Comrades Marathon to see how the supporters urge each runner to complete their goal, or be at the finish and watch other runners carry their exhausted "Comrades" to the line so they can crawl over and receive their coveted medal. The Comrades tagline, “The Ultimate Human Race’’ is a fitting testament to the spirit of ubuntu.

Also in the spirit of ubuntu is the charity element to so many of South Africa's sporting events. The Cape Town Cycle Tour started in 1978 as a protest ride to advocate for safer cycling paths in Cape Town. It is now run by a trust that uses the surplus funds to support social upliftment projects, promote cycling development, and implement safe cycling initiatives. To date, over R130 million has been distributed to charities from the Cape Town Cycle Tour, making a lasting positive impact on communities and the cycling landscape in South Africa.

Comrades has its AmaBeadiBeadi Charity drive, where, since 1996, R76-million has been raised for worthy causes through the generosity of runners, supporters, volunteers, sponsors and partners.

The aQuelle Midmar Mile has it’s 8 and 16 Mile Clubs, where swimmers swim either eight miles by participating in each of the eight events that make up the aQuelle Midmar Mile, or 16 miles by doing eight miles on the Thursday and Friday leading up to the event, and then another eight miles during the event. This is not done solely to get bragging rights, but also helps raise funds for various charities and since 2016, over R19 million has been raised.

Of course another simple reason why these races are so popular is because of South Africa’s huge sporting culture. According to American sports writer Richard Lapchick, sport in South Africa has the status of a national religion, and South Africans are often described as "sports mad". This is because sport has become the guardian of the national character and emphasizes essential values, features and characteristics of the people. Adding to this is South Africa’s great weather which encourages outdoor activities – the mild sunny climate and wide openess of the land begs for athletic engagement.

We are very fortunate to have these world-class events on our doorstep that foster our South African psyche and allow us to embrace the spirit of ubuntu.

WhatsApp has become a cheap and very efficient form of communication, so it makes sense that riders, runners and swimmers should get their race information via the free messaging and calling app.

In the past, FinishTime used SMS notifications to let you know about events you have entered, sending you information about where to register, start times and batches and race results.

However, always striving to be at the forefront of technology, FinishTime has now done an integration with WhatsApp and started introducing a WhatsApp service. This is not just a replacement for SMSs, but is rather an interactive platform with many exciting benefits.

In future you will be seeing event notices via WhatsApp that include:

1. Personalised notifications with information about the event.
2. Notifications that include a QR code which will contain all your information. This can be scanned at registration using the RaceTec Toolkit App, so your race pack can be easily located. It removes the need for the helper to search for you by your name from a long list of entrants.
3. Because the WhatsApp message is interactive, it can contain action or quick reply buttons with specific information about where to collect race packs, start times, venues and gate fees. When you click these buttons, there will be an automated response with information.
4. WhatsApp also has a much higher delivery rate than SMS and a confirmed read rate of between 80 to 85%. Many people don’t bother to read their SMSs anymore because SMS is no longer used to communicate. This means you are much more likely to see our message and read it.
5. FinishTime receives live feedback as the WhatsApp messages are moving through the system and they can see whether a message was delivered or not in real time, so if there is a problem, they can resend the message to ensure that you receive it.

This new and innovative WhatsApp service that has been introduced by FinishTime offers a more efficient experience at registration and serves as an effective interactive platform to communicate personalised race information and results to all participants.

The FinishTime sporting calendars below come with a warning to check with the event organisers to ensure events have not been postponed or cancelled.

More event information, a regularly updated events calendar and results of all events timed by FinishTime can be found at www.finishtime.co.za and all results of events timed by FinishTime at results.finishtime.co.za

AQUELLÉ MIDMAR MILE: February 8-9, 2025

The Midmar Mile is recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest open water swimming event and each year draws over 12000 entrants, ranging from serious international competitors and Olympic medallists, to purely recreational swimmers. The first event was held in 1974 and is now held over two days with eight separate races.

M&G INVESTMENTS PE PLETT: February 20-23, 2025

The 2025 edition of the M&G Investments PE Plett is taking on a slightly different format. Riders will start their journey from Mentors Kraal in Jefferys Bay, following over 280 kms along the famous Garden Route and finishing 4 days later at Nature’s Valley. Whether you’re a dedicated racer or a relaxed rider, this is a spectacular journey you shouldn’t miss.

DISCOVERY SURFERS CHALLENGE: February 22, 2025

In 1975, friendly banter in a popular local watering hole resulted in the launch of a sporting tradition in the Eastern Cape and The Surfers Marathon was born. Later the paddlers of East London joined the action and on Feb 22 thousands will take on the elements and traverse the sand, rocks, rivers and sea in the 49th running of a great tradition.