Madam – Memel Walk in shambles.
I have been a participant in the Memel to Newcastle Walk for many years. I started walking since it was under the auspices of the SANBS. This great and fun walk has begun to deteriorate and the number of participants have been dwindling.
1. There are no marshalls/officials on the road to see the number of people cheating. At least the Blood Bank had marshalls on quadbikes and the event was run very professionally. In the last couple of years, the cheating continued unabated.
2. Lack of traffic police on the roads. I witnessed two women, including myself, nearly being knocked down at the traffic intersection of Allen and Hardwick streets as there were no traffic officers to assist the athletes across the traffic lights.
3. In the past there were splitting finishing points for the two categories, each with their own time-keeping, thus ensuring control and correct timing.
4. The SANBS had lucky draws, prizes for best water tables, acknowledgement of first, second, third walkers as well as runners and teams. This year’s Memel Walk/Run saw nothing of that sort. Prize giving…what was that? It was completely boring to say the least.
Please, SANBS take over this event to save it!
Very Disconcerted
Response from organisers, Champ Marketing:
Dear Madam – We would like to thank you for the opportunity to reply to Very Disconcerted’s letter. The Paruk’s Hardware Blood Buddy Memel to Newcastle Walk / Run is all about Character.
The definition of character is: “the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.”
The 1200 athletes who took part in the 2015 event showed great character up until the end of the 50km walk and run. A person cannot believe that this event started in 1993 with 12 scholars and three teachers of Amajuba High School. It shows that if you have willpower and character you can achieve all your goals.
The event had entrants from all over South Africa taking part this year. We, the organisers, took a bold step to move it from the traditional public holiday to a non-public holiday. The day was a success and camaraderie and character were shown by all.
This year, more than 18 water-tables ensured the athletes had refreshments and support on the road. A big thank you to our water-table TEAMS! The best water-table, as voted by our athletes via SMS was Lanxess, the best Team Spirit – Anderson Properties and the best Newcomer was Remax Property. Congratulations and thank you for all your hard work. The water-tables assisted us as marshals. Thank you to the more than 250 marshals on the road. All 250 showed character.
We had two accredited KZN Athletics referees on the road for the 65 runners who took part in the event. The run is the only registered race with KZN Athletics due to it being a qualifier for the Comrades and the Two Oceans.
The Walk and the Team Relay events are fun events; we will not be able to stop every participant from cheating, that is mainly the reason why the Walk and Relay will not be registered as an official timed event, although we do realise the walk and the relay team’s times at the end. Those who cheat will have to deal with their conscience.
The finish point at the Newcastle Show Grounds was a huge success. With today’s technology you only need one finish line for all categories to finish. The atmosphere at the beginning and at the end was electrifying – a big thanks to the more than 1200 athletes and supporters.
We have received positive comments regarding the water-tables, toilets on the road, the finish point, ER24 and the road markers.
Some athletes gave us some food for thought for next year’s event. They would like more dustbins on the road, a possible relay run and they would like us to minimise cheating.
Next year the prize giving will be more exciting with some quality prizes. We are sure that the majority of the walkers will agree that the 2015 Paruks Hardware Blood Buddy Memel to Newcastle Event was a huge success.
Some feedback from our athletes:
“ Thank u for a brilliant race. Still can’t feel my legs but will be back next year!!”
“It was a very well organized event that we enjoyed a lot!!! All water tables very friendly.”
“ Great race, wonderful route and enjoyed tha race.”
“ Awesome race but traffic and trucks made it scary at times”
“ I had a great day people were so friendly. It was my first time but definitely not the last”
“Thank you for such a lovely race! If we had more races like this one south Africa would be the number one country in the world!”
“Indeed I had wornderful tym 2dy infct that my 1st participation ever, wht a well organised event thumbs up to all the organizers.”
“Thanks it is improving each and every year keep it up the good work”
“Thank you for the excellent support services related to the safety and comfort of the athletes…Brilliant…!”
“Thanks to Champ Promotions…u did a wow job…. it was my pleasure to be part of u event today.”
“ Thanks for hosting this fantastic event every year”
“Much improvements this year. We were so impressed thank you”
A big PAWS up for the Dream Team; they raised in total an amount of R75 000 for the SPCA. We salute you. The two Tjops, Johan Basson and Armand Myburg, well done on your efforts to raise funds for children without shoes.
It shows the CHARACTER of the athletes that took part in this event – it’s not always about winning.
All the best and see you in 2016 – another Proudly Newcastle and Champ Marketing EVENT !
Johan Pieters – Managing Director
