SPAR Weekend Witness 10/5km Women’s Race
Alexandra Park: Sunday 9 September
With the country basking in the midst of the Olympic glory,
the Witness had the honour of catching up with South African and Olympic
marathon runner, Tanith Maxwell from Kloof yesterday (Thursday), finding out
about her Olympic experience ahead of her next race in the SPAR Weekend Witness
10km on Sunday, September 9.
“The excitement and thrill of being part of such a huge
event was brilliant! It's been eight years of dreaming of that moment!” a
smiling Maxwell expressed.
“I was standing alongside that Olympic torch and to see all
those individual flames being pulled together to unite as one big flame is
something I will never forget! And stepping into that stadium, for the opening
ceremony, in our brightly coloured outfits and hearing the stadium erupt was
the best for me!”
Maxwell, who qualified for the marathon when she competed in
the Rotterdam Marathon in April this year was one of three South African
athletes to qualify, competed in the 42km race and finished the race 81st overall in a time of 2:40:27. “The
weather was typical British weather, with a light rain trickling down so
conditions were wet underfoot for most of the race. It wasn’t my fastest but I
did my best!”
“I would have to say that my highlight of the games would be
standing on the start line of my first Olympic marathon!”
“The route was magical, it took in all the famous landmarks
in London! BUT the best part of the race was the support on the side - for the
first 5 km I couldn't feel or hear my feet hitting the ground! I will never
forget that roar and constant cheering from the crowds!”
Having run the Virgin London Marathon, she explains, “The
route was very different from the Virgin London Marathon! The Olympic route was
run on multiple loops, starting and finishing in The Mall, while the city
marathon starts at Blackheath and finishes in The Mall.”
Revealing if she many anyone more ‘famous than herself’ she states, “Absolutely! Being in
the athletes’ village, I was able to make contact with athletes I have admired
and followed with interest on TV and in magazines! I may have even asked for
their autographs,” she admits, smiling. “In the dining hall I met up with Sally
Pearson, the 100m hurdles gold medallist, Alyson Felix, 200 m gold medallist. I
met the number one tennis player Novak Djokavic, at the opening ceremony! And
at the warm-up track, Asafa Powell, Mo Farah and so many others that I cannot
think of now!”
“The week after my race I spent taking in as much as I could
of the Olympic atmosphere! I went to the triathlon event in Hyde Park, the
walking events in The Mall and generally made the most of being in the Olympic
city! There was so much happening and I made sure I was there!”
Having arrived home a few days ago, she is slowly adjusting
back to reality, “It's quite tough getting back home, my ultimate dream is
behind me and I need to make decisions as to where I am going from here! For
the time being I just want to enjoy my running with no pressures attached! I
always enjoy racing so I will incorporate some shorter races, starting with the
SPAR Weekend Witness 10km race next month in Pietermaritzburg and then look to
a spring marathon in Europe next year!”
Asked what is still on her bucket list, now that she has
achieved her dream, “It has to be doing an ultra-marathon - I have always said
that I won't stop running until I have tried the likes of a Two Oceans or a
Comrades Marathon!”
“I would like to be hopefully
remembered as a ' down to earth ' athlete that has represented her province and
country from sub junior days. A keen competitor and someone who inspires woman
to take up distance running!”
Concluding, the lean running machine enthuses, “My advice to
anyone out there would be the dream is never too big or too out of reach! The
only demands are 100% dedication, commitment and self-belief! With that Olympic
dreams can become a reality!”
Join Tanith on September 9 for Pietermaritzburg’s most
beautiful road race which begins at 08:00. Entry forms and more information is
available online at www.sparwomensrace.co.za
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