Ian Syster in the 2003 London Marathon (© Getty Images)
The second fastest South African marathoner of all-time, Ian Syster, died along with his two month-old son in an auto accident in Keimoes in the Northern Cape, South Africa, on Christmas Day (25).
Syster, who would have turned 29 years-old next month, drove his car off of a bridge spanning the Orange River on the road between Keimoes and Kenhardt, his BMW automobile plunging into the water.
The body of his son, Merzian, was not recovered until the next day, found on the shore of the river about 300 metres from the site of the accident by two boys who were fishing.
Syster was the current South African marathon champion. He burst onto the running scene in 2001 when he won the RSA marathon title in his debut over the distance, running 2:13:30.
At the 2002 Flora London Marathon, Syster was an improbable fifth place finisher in 2:07:06, cutting more than six minutes from his career best time.
After a disappointing 2:16:04 at Chicago later that year, Syster went on to have a strong 2003, finishing ninth at London (2:09:18), seventh at the World Championships (2:10:17, top South African), and first at Beijing 2003 with a huge six minute margin of victory (2:07:49).
His 2004 season was marked by disappointment. He dropped out of the marathons at London and the Olympic Games, and did not contest a fall marathon.
Race Results Weekly for the IAAF
