Young Ava hopes to cross Comrades finish line
She has finished in the top five in all her leagues.
In her first full CGA cross-country season, Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC) youngster Ava Brits is already turning heads.
The promising eight-year-old has been making a strong impression in the U8 1km races since her debut at the second league meeting in Kagiso, showing speed, determination and hard work; clear signs of a future star in the making.
Whether navigating tricky, slippery corners or powering up hills, Ava, named cross-country runner of the year by her school last year, is proving that passion and performance matter more than age.
“I’ve always loved running. I was inspired by my dad, who I always watched as he trained for the Comrades Marathon. I often do 5km runs with him,” she said.
Although she often feels nervous at the start line, the Ridgewood College Grade Two learner has consistently finished in the top five of her races. She opened her season with a 06:05 for fourth place, followed by 05:56 in the third league in Dobsonville.
She clocked 04:35 in league four in Daveyton before a season’s best 04:28 in the last league meeting of the season in Brakpan on July 26.
“I enjoy running in the CGA leagues against boys because it’s a lot harder than just competing with girls my age. My dad always motivates me by telling me to run my own race.”
While many young athletes draw inspiration from professional sports stars, Ava looks up to her Comrades Marathon-running father.
“I love training with him because he always pushes me and reminds me of how good I am. He also tells me to believe in myself and most importantly, to have fun,” she said.
Among her big dreams is one close to her heart: completing the Comrades Marathon one day.
“I want to run the Comrades when I’m big. This year I crossed the finish line with my dad in my BNAC kit. It was the best feeling in the world.”
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