The Munga 2019

[MORNE]

PC correction 

touche lol

[Nick]

touche lol

 

Sorry, I will give myself a warning for attempted trolling.

[WaynejG]

At a 50km event last year in Kariega, flippen hot and exhausted, nowhere near winning, myself and a fellow rider probably my age, kept catching and overtaking each other, with the finish line in site I managed to catch him again and had enough to finish in front of him but at the last minute said to him let's cross together as we both have k@kked off today.

 

This move on my part was totally against my competitive nature but somehow it did not seem right to finish in front of him.

[Nick]

I have a feeling Sithembiso Masango is currently close to tears.. shame I feel for the guy. Second time off course near Ceres, turning around now will mean he have to go back up Bo-Swaarmoed pass. Hope he doesn't scratch or get DQ'd for this! He's having a horrible morning.

 

Well spotted. That could have gone badly if he hadn't corrected it quickly. Looks like MBV will be on him soon. Perhaps Sithembiso needs a nap or his GPS is dead? Looks like he's been keeping them short so far.

[Wayne pudding Mol]

Ultimately the decision was theirs and we can have opinions but we cannot judge. This is what they decided to do which has to be respected.

It’s not running eskom, it’s not 30 guys chasing a ball in a minority sport, smashing into each other. It’s a race where they exhausted each other, found mutual respect and decided finishing together was their best option. I find it refreshing and it’s in no way the same as Little Jonny getting a medal for finishing last.

 

Like I said we all have a take on this but only Kevin’s and Thinus’ count

[JohanDiv]

Some more pics I took at the finish last night..

[Roguemeister]

Didn't know that. This is the best option to prevent this again. Whatever side of the fence you sit on it's a pity the "toughest race on earth" doesn't have a winner*.

It's a general triathlon rule, there was a ITU race a month or two ago where two British chicks did that and got DQd.

[keithbe]

Remind us; what's your latest podium finish?

 

 

obviously two camps on this.

 

But i stand by my point. I am highly competitive in anything I do, whether I suck at it or not. It makes me want to do better and be better. I don't have to go do the Munga to feel that way about ANY competition.

My honest opinion about defending the gesture is that you are most probably then also in the camp of handing out medals to the kid who comes dead last because he participated....

 

someone had to loose. it would have sucked for them yes - especially after 1100km ish....but it would have motivated them even more for next year to come back stronger. Now its just this watered down PC farce.

 

if I were in that position I would not have agreed to it. we would both have equal opportunity at a certain stage. if you still end up beating me I would come shake your hand afterwards and be gracious in defeat.

 

the world has gone mad.

 

 

EDIT: anyway...good luck to the rest of the field and don't make any arrangements about joint placings at the padstal....beat your opponent into submission and be better than them on the day.

[Brakenjan]

Ironman has a rule that a "contrived tie" will result in both athletes being disqualified. Should be the same here. I'm all for sportsmanship but I think this goes against the true nature of fair racing.

 

I fully agree. In fact, if I were Alex, I would look at video footage and award the win to the guy who crossed the finish first - even by a whisker. That should stop this cumbaya-nonsense going forward.

 

As a wise friend so succinctly put it this morning: This happens when people are afraid of losing.

[avatar]

Its cool if thats what they decided and everyone else that wants to go khumba-ya and hold hands together with them, but dont expect me to do any dot watching for a boring finish next year, and thats the main issue here, they allow it this year it will def happen again in years to come!

[avatar]

Sorry brakenjan, didnt see your post there, exactly what you said, thats my take on the situation too

[Vetseun]

Mike Woolnough finished. What a ride

[BigDL]

Ultimately the decision was theirs and we can have opinions but we cannot judge. This is what they decided to do which has to be respected.

It’s not running eskom, it’s not 30 guys chasing a ball in a minority sport, smashing into each other. It’s a race where they exhausted each other, found mutual respect and decided finishing together was their best option. I find it refreshing and it’s in no way the same as Little Jonny getting a medal for finishing last.

 

Like I said we all have a take on this but only Kevin’s and Thinus’ count

100% - they weren’t riding for our entertainment

[Wayne pudding Mol]

Its cool if thats what they decided and everyone else that wants to go khumba-ya and hold hands together with them, but dont expect me to do any dot watching for a boring finish next year, and thats the main issue here, they allow it this year it will def happen again in years to come!

Guess we won't really know if this brings in more dot watchers or less until next year.  I doubt it will keep happening, humans are fundamentally to egocentric to repeat selfless gestures.  

[Wayne pudding Mol]

Mike Woolnough finished. What a ride

This man is incredible

[porqui]

Its cool if thats what they decided and everyone else that wants to go khumba-ya and hold hands together with them, but dont expect me to do any dot watching for a boring finish next year, and thats the main issue here, they allow it this year it will def happen again in years to come!

 

Or not !