Back in Cape Town, with Lots of Running Excitement!

We’re back in Cape Town!

It will always feel a little strange to leave the northern hemisphere, where the leaves are turning autumn colours and the evenings are getting dark and cosy, and arrive in Cape Town, where spring is in full swing. The days are getting longer, the flowers are blooming, and the running scene is getting into gear.

My own running is getting into gear, too. But more about that in a moment!

Before leaving Zurich, we squeezed in a few cultural outings with my parents. We picked a rainy day for our obligatory visit to a pumpkin exhibition, hoping to avoid the crowds. It was fabulous!

We also went to an immersive Van Gogh exhibition, which was less fabulous but still quite nice.

My absolute favourite, though, was an exhibition of Swiss advertising posters from the 1920s to the 1950s. Somehow, advertising seemed to be more of an art form back then. The bold colours, the clever designs, the skilful artwork… each poster was a little masterpiece.

Back in Cape Town, I had an extra-special appointment in my calendar. Last Saturday, I finally met my coach, The Colonel, in person!

He and his wife came over to our place, and we spent about two hours chatting about All The Running Things. He had so many fascinating stories about his athletes that I could have happily listened all night. The Colonel was in Cape Town because one of his elite athletes, Arthur Jantjies, was running the Nelson Mandela Marathon.

As luck would have it, the aid station at kilometre 15 was close to our apartment. The Colonel handed me a bottle for Arthur, which I was to place on the elite athletes’ table on Sunday morning. And just like that, I became an official Elite Marathon Bottle Assistant!

The following morning, I got on my bike and was at the elite table by 5.15 am. Standing there at the crack of dawn, waiting for the elite runners to arrive, was surprisingly exciting. Helicopters and fighter jets were overhead, police patrols were everywhere, and volunteers were busy filling cups at the aid station next to me. The whole place was buzzing with anticipation.

Then, finally, the motorbikes appeared, followed by a tightly packed group of runners.

Arthur was leading the pack! (he’s wearing the black/white/gold shirt).

He knew his bottle would be on the last table in the row. Just to make sure he wouldn’t miss me, I shouted his name at the top of my voice. He came flying towards me and grabbed his bottle with one perfectly practised sweep. Somehow, he even found the time and energy to smile and shout a quick “Thank you!” as he flew past.

I was star-struck.

When I later saw that he had WON the race in 2:15, I was ridiculously proud. Of course, it was MY bottle at kilometre 15 that gave him that winning boost!

Talking about marathons, I received some very exciting news last Friday!

I can register for Tokyo! I am SO happy!

The Tokyo Marathon is notoriously difficult and expensive to get into as an international runner. The ballot is nearly impossible, and the alternatives are either a very expensive fundraising commitment or booking through an international tour operator, with an equally eye-watering price tag.

My entry through the age-group championships will cost USD 400. Still a big sum for 42km, but much more reasonable compared to the alternatives.

Now I need to roll my socks up and get to work. I broke the news to The Colonel on Saturday, so there’s no escaping his watchful eye now!

• Have you been to any interesting cultural events lately?
• What are your running or fitness plans for 2027? Any exciting goals on the horizon?

I am linking up with Jenny from Runners Fly and Jenn from Runs with Pugs for Tuesday Topics as well as Runners’ Roundup with Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, and Runs with Pugs!