VAN DER MERWE CRUISES TO VICTORY
By VUVU VENA
Link to web article here.
TWO-TIME Washie winner Johan van der Merwe said this year’s victory in the gruelling marathon between Port Alfred and East London had been tougher than last year.
Running 150km, Van der Merwe finished tops for the second year in a row.
Last year he finished in 13 hours, seven minutes and five seconds despite having taken the wrong route close to the finish line, which added an extra two kilometres to his race.
This year he made it 13:18:02.
![]()
“It was a bit more difficult this year because my preparation for the race was not as focused as it was last year,” said the 41year-old.
He said he had participated in a number of running events since January – two that were over 200km and one that was
in 515km.
Van der Merwe said because he had spent time recovering from these events, it took away from his training time for the Washie.
“I battled with cramps in my right calf during the last 40km of the race. It’s the first time ever that I’ve had cramps in any of my events.
“There were warning signs before I got to the last 40km. Whenever I wanted to push the pace it was difficult and I had to stop and walk sometimes,” he said.
Despite this, he still recorded the fourth fastest finishing time and beat the second place finisher by over two hours.
Last year was the first time he had run the Washie and because of the 2km confusion wanted to enter this year to set the record straight.
Now, due to the cramps, Van der Merwe said he would have to enter again next year to improve his time.
“I think the race is doable in 12 hours 50 minutes,” he said.
TOUGH AS THEY COME: Johan van der Merwe
By VUVU VENA
Link to web article here.
 |
| Johan van der Merwe, S4J team member, retaining his Washie 100 miler title |
TWO-TIME Washie winner Johan van der Merwe said this year’s victory in the gruelling marathon between Port Alfred and East London had been tougher than last year.
Running 150km, Van der Merwe finished tops for the second year in a row.
Last year he finished in 13 hours, seven minutes and five seconds despite having taken the wrong route close to the finish line, which added an extra two kilometres to his race.
This year he made it 13:18:02.
“It was a bit more difficult this year because my preparation for the race was not as focused as it was last year,” said the 41year-old.
He said he had participated in a number of running events since January – two that were over 200km and one that was
in 515km.
Van der Merwe said because he had spent time recovering from these events, it took away from his training time for the Washie.
“I battled with cramps in my right calf during the last 40km of the race. It’s the first time ever that I’ve had cramps in any of my events.
“There were warning signs before I got to the last 40km. Whenever I wanted to push the pace it was difficult and I had to stop and walk sometimes,” he said.
Despite this, he still recorded the fourth fastest finishing time and beat the second place finisher by over two hours.
Last year was the first time he had run the Washie and because of the 2km confusion wanted to enter this year to set the record straight.
Now, due to the cramps, Van der Merwe said he would have to enter again next year to improve his time.
“I think the race is doable in 12 hours 50 minutes,” he said.
TOUGH AS THEY COME: Johan van der Merwe