Van Dyk unstoppable in Middelburg
She clocked 14:08 for her third consecutive national cross-country title.
If there’s a runner who simply cannot put a foot wrong, it’s Chelsea van Dyk.
The Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC) ace stormed to her third consecutive national cross-country crown with a ruthless display at the Athletics South Africa (ASA) championships at Kees Taljaard Stadium in Middelburg on September 6.
Van Dyk didn’t just win – she obliterated the field. Her trademark burst of power left rivals gasping, including her long-term rival Xantè Harris of Athletics Vaal Triangle, as she tore through the 4km course in 14:08 – the fastest time of any age-group girls’ category at the championships – to win the U14 girls’ title.
“This was a very tactical race. I’m very happy with how it went,” she said.
The Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) star runner was the picture of composure on the march to the starting blocks, even joining her peers as they huddled for prayer before the gun. But once the race was underway, calm gave way to control.
She immediately surged to the front, dictating the pace from the opening kilometre. Harris clung close in the early stages, but Van Dyk soon turned the screw.
By the halfway mark, she had opened a gap of 80m, and with every stride the margin grew. Entering the final kilometre, the St Dunstan’s College Grade Eight learner was more than 100m clear, striding confidently to the finish.
Her dominance was met with raucous applause from supporters when she entered the finishing straight – some perched on the advertising boards to witness the coronation of a champion who continues to redefine junior distance running in South Africa.
“As I did last year, I can’t go from being dominant to not showing the same performance. The plan was definitely to annihilate everyone.”
Harris followed Van Dyk a full 40 seconds later, crossing the line in 14:47 to settle for the silver, while Athletics Gauteng North’s (AGN) Mamello Hankana grabbed the last podium spot in 14:49.
This was Van Dyk’s third national medal this year after her victories in the 1 500m and 3 000m at the ASA U16, U18, U20 and U23 track and field championships in March.
She also clinched her first international victory when she grabbed Team SA a gold in the 3 000m at the Confederation Southern African School Sport Association (COSASSA) Games in Eswatini last month.
When asked about the secret to her consistency, she explained that it comes down to setting small but meaningful goals, like “chasing ASA gold medals.”
“Even though they are big achievements, they are small in the bigger picture. Being the best in SA doesn’t mean anything on the world stage. You have to keep the bigger goals as the main picture. Even when you’ve achieved your small goals, you still have the ultimate goal, which you always have to keep working on.”
She thanked her parents, supporters, and coach, saying, “I wouldn’t be anything without my team or God.”
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