I am not really interested in following the politicking behind sports (in fact it is the main reason I do not watch sport), but it seems to me that the Western Cape Trail Running body in the Western Cape has been ineffectual in that it seems that decisions are being made autonomously by the ASA which if I am not mistaken it set out to prevent in the first place. So we see the Addo Elephant Trail Run selected (or maybe it was just pulled out of a hat) as the “national championship” event. That being said, it is a vast improvement from the last time athletes were chosen to represent South Africa in trail running, which was possibly the main reason many people felt that some regulation was necessary in the sport in the first place.
Where: near Kirkwood, Eastern Cape (about 78km from Port Elizabeth)
When: 06h00, Saturday 02 March 2013
Website: www.extrememarathons.com
Facebook: Addo Elephant Trail Run
Twitter: @ExtremeMarathon
Some info from the communication:
“We are excited to report a first tangible step in the process of creating a national structure for trail running in South Africa by announcing our first ever national championship.
Event: South African Ultra Trail Championships
Category: Ultra distance (50km – 80km)
Race: Addo Elephant Trail Run
Distance: 76km
Entries for this event have already opened and all prospecting runners are invited to enter at www.extrememarathons.com. Please note that the event will be organized by the existing owners under their rules, as in the past, and that all runners at the event will be treated equally. It is the runner’s full responsibility to enter, arrange transport and get accommodation. Please enter quickly, because the event can only take 300 entries.
This event will be used to select the national team to represent South Africa at the IAU World Trail Championships in Wales on 6 7 July 2013.”