the unofficial Cape Epic thread

[wessie12]

Guess who

[Skubarra]

33 minutes ago, Andrew_Smith said:

Apologies if this has been discussed before, but I feel the Cape Epic attracts some riders with more money than experience—since it’s such an expensive race for us mere peasants. Some assume that a bit of riding is enough to prepare them for the challenge.

Surely, there could be a qualification system, similar to the Comrades Marathon, where participants need to meet certain criteria before entering. Of course, this wouldn’t be a perfect solution, and the organisers might not support it since they’d risk losing paying participants.

Anyway, great riding from Tristan and Marco, proudly representing South Africa among the big international names!

Historically close to 90% of riders finish the Epic? - I think our perception of loads of riders falling out every year does not quite add up to the reality. Add to the fact the 10% who fall out would include riders that were prepared well enough but had genuine mishaps - falls/health issues/mechanicals.

Also the extreme heat we had yesterday is an outlier, not the standard, I wouldn't be too judgmental based on this one day

[Bro Derek]

26 minutes ago, babse said:

how does IRONMAN bank their millions within minutes of entries going open if there is a qualifying criteria???

Exactly... The most demanding races in the world, the pinnacle of athletic prowess and mental fortitude with no competency measure or minimum criteria other than willing payer.

If we look at a simple race like 2 Oceans Ultra - cut off used to be 6hrs, qualifying marathon 4 hrs and 12000 to 15000 people ran.

Over the years extensions happened and it now sits at 7:30hrs cut off, 4hrs 45 qualifying marathon 12 to 15000 runners.

The funny thing is close to 70% of all finishers finish in the last 20 minutes, historically, no matter the cut off time.

While few strive for excellence, the majority will do 'just enough' to finish. When there is no measure for 'just enough' the lines between competent and delusional become feint. 

Ironman has some serious issues currently as a large portion of it's participants can't swim in the sea, regardless if it's vaguely rough or cold, struggle to ride their tri bikes safely, can't run a marathon and can't ride mountain bikes proficiently to be on the start line of 'The toughest in the world'

They need the entries to sustain their global dominance, but the lack of qualifying means a lack of competency which makes planning and making on the day calls almost impossible.

How bad IS the worst person? Nobody really knows, so how do they even begin to know where to draw the line with regards safety.

More people will die and more swims/stages/races will be cancelled or shortened for very mild condition variances. (I'm not suggesting this was a mild variance, but looking at the bigger picture and where they go)

Edited March 20, 2025 by Bro Derek

[Danger Dassie]

1 hour ago, RobynE said:

Yeah what I mean is, that they’re somehow managing to keep everyone schtum on saying anything. 

Sorry but this couldn't be further from the truth.
No one can confirm, and no matter how it's worded, there weren't any fatalities in the event. It would be impossible for the medical, event, and emergency services to cover up. 
If I had to go on field accounts alone, there would be 6 fatalities alone, everything from blankets, body bags and branches have been mentioned. Yet not a single person has even a cellphone pic. 

[ajnkzn]

If this is the case there’s groot k@k coming 🫣

[saturdayknight]

20 minutes ago, Danger Dassie said:

Sorry but this couldn't be further from the truth.
No one can confirm, and no matter how it's worded, there weren't any fatalities in the event. It would be impossible for the medical, event, and emergency services to cover up. 
If I had to go on field accounts alone, there would be 6 fatalities alone, everything from blankets, body bags and branches have been mentioned. Yet not a single person has even a cellphone pic. 

thats not necessarily true - if someone died in the ambulance or in ICU it is not necessarily going to be communicated. The medical staff are not going to say so and so died in ICU. The family would do that and they are in deep grief and may not post anything. If someone died on the finish line or on the trail in front of everyone sure it would somehow make its way onto social media. 

[The Bull Shark]

Well, we will soon know the truth. Doctors talk to each other, and my wife's boss is riding, and he is a physician working at Vergelegen Medi-Clinic in Somerset West.

Edited March 20, 2025 by dev null

[Irvin85]

31 minutes ago, Danger Dassie said:

Sorry but this couldn't be further from the truth.
No one can confirm, and no matter how it's worded, there weren't any fatalities in the event. It would be impossible for the medical, event, and emergency services to cover up. 
If I had to go on field accounts alone, there would be 6 fatalities alone, everything from blankets, body bags and branches have been mentioned. Yet not a single person has even a cellphone pic. 

Yes, cause the first thing you when seeing a lifeless person, while struggling through heat exhaustion and trying to stay alive yourself is ruk out your phone and start taking pictures. Some people actually have common decency and respect for others. Just imagine you finding out your loved one passed away by some one posting his lifeless body on social media. 

Ou "bright spark"

[dave303e]

44 minutes ago, peetwindhoek said:

It could actually enhance the credibility and prestige of the event if participants had to meet certain physical requirements to prove their capability - rather than just signing up, as some have mentioned is the case with other tough races that have criteria beyond just a big wallet.

I recently entered an event. You apply for an entry, then you take a few hours to fill out a questionnaire showing your experience, fitness, decision making and practical knowledge of the event - that you have read the race manual end to end at least twice(40 page doc).


Above is a screen shot of a literal question on entry application.

Test of common sense...

 

[Danger Dassie]

5 minutes ago, Irvin85 said:

Yes, cause the first thing you when seeing a lifeless person, while struggling through heat exhaustion and trying to stay alive yourself is ruk out your phone and start taking pictures. Some people actually have common decency and respect for others. Just imagine you finding out your loved one passed away by some one posting his lifeless body on social media. 

Ou "bright spark"

There's a number of scenarios other than what you described Irvin, but it seems to have triggered a somewhat direct response, you're welcome to get in touch directly if there's something specific. 

The point is that despite assumptions about so-called coverups, there is literally no information that would have come forward. 

[wessie12]

Any death occurring in the race or as result from taking part would be considered a unnatural death. a Inquest will be investigated by SAPS to determine the cause and if anybody  is responsible. Very hard and unlikely to cover up by organizers. People do pass away at events world wide for various underlying reasons. Looking from the outside there was no casualties and we can argue that is because of interventions from the organizers to mitigate the heat. All and all a successful day that could have been a nightmare.

 

[SwissVan]

45 minutes ago, Irvin85 said:

Snipped

Just imagine you finding out your loved one passed away by some one posting his lifeless body on social media. 

Ou "bright spark"

Or via rumours on a cycling forum specialising in classifieds 

[saturdayknight]

55 minutes ago, dev null said:

Well, we will soon know the truth. Doctors talk to each other, and my wife's boss is riding, and he is a physician working at Vergelegen Medi-Clinic in Somerset West.

I think you are right - it will eventually come out.  BTW: Someone else posted they rode for 2.5 hours with no water and wondered why there was not another water point put in in the back half of the race. Kudos to the ladies and men who got to the end yesterday. Proper 

[saturdayknight]

30 minutes ago, wessie12 said:

Any death occurring in the race or as result from taking part would be considered a unnatural death. a Inquest will be investigated by SAPS to determine the cause and if anybody  is responsible. Very hard and unlikely to cover up by organizers. People do pass away at events world wide for various underlying reasons. Looking from the outside there was no casualties and we can argue that is because of interventions from the organizers to mitigate the heat. All and all a successful day that could have been a nightmare.

 

I set and design investigation systems into events like this - I can tell you it does not always come out within 24 hours. There are also preventable deaths and deaths that are not really preventable by the race organisers. A rider that dies of a heart attack as they had an atherosclerotic plaque sitting on their coronary artery waiting to rupture is not really preventable but someone dying of heat stroke is preventable. A basic is having enough water points and water and medical support. There are a few other basics.

[PhilipV]

56 minutes ago, Danger Dassie said:

The point is that despite assumptions about so-called coverups, there is literally no information that would have come forward. 

Maybe you need to do what I did, and chat to a Dr working at Paarl hospital?
 

You are after all a journalist? 

[Dicky DQ]

34 minutes ago, saturdayknight said:

I think you are right - it will eventually come out.  BTW: Someone else posted they rode for 2.5 hours with no water and wondered why there was not another water point put in in the back half of the race. Kudos to the ladies and men who got to the end yesterday. Proper 

If you rode for 2.5 hrs without water you are doing something wrong or not thinking. You leave a waterpoint with at least 1.5L maybe more. Waterpoints are typically 25km apart or equivalent time based on a fit rider time based. Or so it appears. So if you rode for 2,5hrs without water. Damn the math just don't add up or the rider was not prepared. Also on all the routes to date there will be a farmhouse/ workers house/ farm cellar/ restaurant within 3km of the trail and that would typically be all downhill. If in distress just bail and recover then get back on course.

There is really no excuse on this urban route for being so challenged, especially as they already had the initial 1.5L starts load. Which should get you between 1 and 2hrs to start with. 

I call ...... on this.

Edit:
If you know it is going to be hot take extra. Hydration pack 1.5 to 2L + 1,5L on the bike. No way you cant do waterpoint to waterpoint.  If it takes 2,5hrs to do 25km you do not belong at the Epic.

 

Edited March 20, 2025 by Dicky DQ