Nel hopes for glory at nationals
She won the 3000m U20 women's title at the CGA champs on March 15, which qualified her for the ASA nationals at the end of the month.
If you win a provincial title, you can either sit back and bask in the glory of that one moment or you can lay plans to become a national champion.
It’s the latter that Benoni Harriers Athletic Club (BNHAC) middle distance runner Bronwyn Nel has decided to do.
The work to do that began at the CGA open track and field championships held over three days from March 13 to 15 at Germiston Stadium and UJ Athletics Stadium.
Nel channelled her inner Sifan Hassan, who became the only athlete to medal in the 5000m, 10 000m and marathon event at the same Olympics in Paris last year, when she challenged herself to three events on March 15.
She tackled the U20 women’s 3000m, 1500m and 800m, which were within hours of each other.
She opened her account with a win in the 3000m earlier in the day, winning the race from the gun to the tape. She initially started slow, going toe to toe with Dieketseng Motsoeneng hoping the Boxer runner would take the lead.
After realising that the pace was too slow, she blew everyone out of the water after the second lap to eventually clinch the provincial title in 10:44.76.
“I wanted to sit behind the group to feel everyone out and see if the pace is quick enough because the wind on the back straight was bad. I was hoping Dieketseng would take the lead. She didn’t and my coach told me to go. I just kicked from there,” she said.
“The plan was to run at a pace I could maintain, which was about 03:30 to 03:40. The big thing is the mindset, up on the toes, leaning forward, striding and breathing. Overall, it was a pretty good race. I’m happy with the results and looking forward to the nationals.”
The 19-year old tried her best in the 1500m final but competing against fresh legs after running a seven-and-a-half lap race was always going to be challenging. She finished fifth in 05:09.53 before clocking 02:35.86 in the 800m final for sixth place after a valiant effort.
Nel explained she’s looking forward to the ASA age-group and multi event championships in Cape Town from March 27 to 29, where she hopes to clock a PB in the 3000m.
“Naturally, I would like to podium at the nationals because that’s a big achievement. But it will depend on the day and how I’m feeling. I’m looking forward to it,” she said.
Asked about the future, Nel said, “I want to compete at the Olympics in 2028. That’s the big goal”.
Other results
Samantha Reyneke was sixth in the U20 women’s 3000m while Kaitlyn Mackay clocked 05:15.54 for eighth in the U18 girls’ 1500m race. Emma Hickley finished the U16 girls’ 1500m race in 13th place.
Also Read: Nel chases provincial and national titles
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