MASVETSEN Report (From a &quot;noob&#39;s&quot; point of view)

Tuesday, 7 May 2013

MASVETSEN Report (From a "noob's" point of view)

I've been asked to write a report on Nedbank - LVCC running club's annual in-house challenge - the MASVETSEN (Grand Challenge). As a new member I will try my best to honour the "second most important race of the year".

Before joining the club in 2012 I often heard about this "Matseven". Murray and Jo would discuss tactics, face paint, alcohol and prawns and I still had no idea what they were on about. Sounded like fun though! With Comrades fast approaching people started talking about "Mastseven" again.

This time around I learnt that its actually called MASVETSEN (Masters/Veterans/Seniors teams), a 21km relay race on the Lydenburg road, and not Matseven/Masvensen which I thought was the name of the farm where the festivities take place.

Up until two days before the race I also had no idea how this relay worked but I think I have a better idea after competing in it and I will try and explain how it works for those that haven't participated yet.

Teams of 6 members each compete in an out and back relay race. Each member gets to run a leg as fast as he/she can and the time goes towards his/her team's overall time. All club members are welcome to participate in the race and Comrades runners are expected to complete the entire run on their high mileage legs. Each team has a team leader and this year Fanie was in charge of the Juniors, Marie-Louise the Seniors, Paul the Veterans and Jeanne and Iain the Masters and Grand Masters. Each team gets a theme and dress up accordingly to get some team spirit going. Now the part I'm still not too sure about involves bribery, corruption, dodgy penalties and lodged complaints burnt into memory banks. Let's leave it at that..

As a 30 year old "youngster" I had the privilege and pressure of competing for the seniors who have only won the challenge 3 times in the last 14 years. I was told that the Veterans are the MASVETSEN kings and that our young average age would count against us as points are deducted according to age.

Marie-Louise's Native American theme was an inspired choice even though she claims to be an accountant devoid of creativity. This was just the spark Adriaan needed as he loves war stories about Crazy Horse and General Custer. Petro provided the feathers and I showed him a picture of the Lone Ranger's sidekick Tonto. The rest is itchy, flaky and acrylic face paint history.

The Veteran team were caught napping this year, quite literally as they even pitched up in their pajamas. I'm not sure what the Masters were supposed to be in their glow in the dark shirts and sweatbands but I think it was a wise choice in the current economic climate as they will be able to use their kit again on early morning runs and winter time trials. My feathers wont see another run again. I asked them if the bright colours were in aid of poor eyesight or that they were planning on running until sunset. I didn't get a reply? Well done to the Masters for getting second place, they looked sharp and ran great times.

The prawn braai was hosted by Johan and Annetjie on their beautiful farm. The weather was perfect, the food fantastic and the company great as always. As the evening wore on a member was overheard exclaiming that it was the best "Porn braai" ever. Another member concurred.

Thank you to all the committee and club members involved. Special thank you to Johan and Annetjie for being such great hosts!

Toy Dupper