Mzazi's New Balancing Act in Ultra Distance

Disappointments in the standard marathon sees Boxer AC athlete moving up to the longer races  

Mzazi showing off his New Balance Ultra Boosts following his new deal with New Balance

A smile of contentment flickered across Gladwin Mzazi as he posed for the pictures. Fully resplendent in a New Balance kit from top to toe, the Boxer Athletic Club star could not hide his delight at this new relationship that he believes will help him along into the next chapter of his storied running career.

“I am now part of what is called the New Balance Speedsters and besides them being my technical sponsors now, I am also going to be working at some of their stores to make sure that they are properly stocked. My role will also involve engaging with shoppers and giving them advice on products based on my experience of them. And as an elite athlete, I will be involved in the brand’s demo runs when we release new shoes. It is an exciting time for me and I am looking forward to playing a big role in helping grow the brand in the running space.”

We are at the New Balance store at the Mall of Africa where Mzazi is fetching his kit and to say he was ‘like a kid in a sweetshop’ would be putting it mildly, the 35-year-old fitting different shoes and kit – loving everything and clearly wanting to take it all home. The sales assistants obliged him, filling a kitbag as well as a big shopping paper bag with New Balance apparel.

The new ambassadorship coincides with Mzazi’s running career going in a new direction as well.

“I’m moving into the ultras now,” he says “I believe the time is right for me to do this. I’ve had way too many disappointments in the standard marathon and I’ve fallen short of the 2:10. I tried many times running the so-called fast marathons – like Fukuoka and Dubai - but things just did not happen for me. Because I had a 60-minute half marathon, the belief was I could run a 2:06 marathon but I could never do it, I always struggled with the after the 30km mark. I was also unfortunate with injuries because I’d be properly trained and then things would go worn on race day like they did at Cape Town Marathon when I was on a pace to do a 2:09 marathon but then cramped late in the race when they made us run on those steps towards the end.”

He believes he will do well in the ultras.

“I think the ultra pace is much more relaxed than in the standard marathon. I am comfortable running at 3:20/3:30 (minutes per kilometre) and I believe I can hold it for a long distance (ultra). I’ve already ran one ultra, the N12 50km last year but it was a new experience for me and I had not prepared properly. But I still finished in fourth place despite getting lost on the route and running an extra kilometre or so.”

He learnt from that rookie mistake and believes he is in the best shape – both physically and mentally – to announce himself on the ultra scene this Sunday when he races the City2City Marathon (50km) that’s making its return to the local road running calendar after many years of absence.

“I have prepared well and I am aiming for a top-three finish if a win does not materialize. My plan is to hold a 3:30 pace and then see what is happening at the halfway mark. The intention is to stick with the lead bunch and not rush into trying to lead lest I burn out.”

The City2City Marathon will mark the proper beginning of a venture into the ultras for the athlete who has done it all and the right way in running.

In a country where the ultramarathon is the rage that sees many a young athlete’s potential going to waste due to their rushing into running long, Mzazi was sober enough to not fall into the trap.

“The good thing for me is that at the peak of my career there were many opportunities for athletes, races such as the Yellow Pages Series and the Engen Grand Prix made track attractive. Now there are not many quality sponsorships and that’s why young athletes rush to the road and even then they are going quickly into ultras because that’s where the big money is. But that is to the detriment of young talent.”

He believes athletes who are under 30 years of age should not be doing ultra marathons but should be focused on track, cross country and marathons and lower on the road.

“And I believe that if you are a marathoner and can still run a 2:10 you should not be going up to the ultra just yet. Athletes who rush into ultras risk not having longevity in the sport.”

He has lasted very long, Mzazi – a two-time Universiade gold medalist (10 000m and half marathon) and World Half Marathon Championships participant – having been in the sports at the highest level since 2007.

“I’ve been blessed in that at Boxer they do not force athletes to go into ultras. We are a development club and athletes are encouraged to follow their own chosen career paths. And fortunately lately with the likes of the Absa Run Your City Series, there is some good money to be made in the shorter road distances.”

Long in the sport and a member of the Central Gauteng Coaches Committee, Mzazi is already imparting his massive experience to younger athletes at Boxer.

“I am a CGA licensed coach and I am working with youngsters in the under-20 age group at our club. Already we have had four qualifying for the nationals and others were at the schools championships that took place in Limpopo this week. It feels good to be giving back to the country.”

He is also getting some rewards for his loyal service to the sport, and the partnership with New Balance is well-deserved. And he intends to make it count as he takes on the ultra route, starting with Sunday’s City2City with the ultimate goal of attaining glory at the ultra-of-ultras in the next few years.

“City2City is the start and build up towards Two Oceans and Comrades. But I know that running that extra six-kilometre one will get at Two Oceans (56km Mother City race) is a lot hence I am starting with the basics of the ultras. I would like to go and do those big two in future but first let me get used to running the ultra distance,” he says, that contented smile adorning his face again – as he bounces up and down in the springy New Balance trainers he has just acquired

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