Van Jaarsveld battles to bronze at nationals
She finished third in the sub-veteran women's race in 16:01.
Running on heart more than fitness, former sub-veteran women’s 4km champion Kate van Jaarsveld refused to fade and battled her way to third place at the Athletics South Africa (ASA) cross-country championships in Middelburg on September 6.
Van Jaarsveld went into the championships lacking the fitness that powered her to victory at last year’s championships at the Vaal University of Technology, but her mental strength, grit, and determination carried her to third place after covering two laps of the course in 16:01.
“I could have done with a bit more training in between. But life happens. Next year, I’m going to put in a lot more training than what I did this year. I’m happy, but first place is always the prize. I know I compete against many strong women from across the country. I’m very proud of what I’ve managed to achieve,” she said.
The Nedbank Running Club ace was in the chasing group of Estè van Tonder of Athletics Free State (AFS), Athletics Gauteng North’s (AGN) Leillani Scheffer, and Elizabeth Griffiths from Western Province Athletics (WPA), which clung close to the leading pair of Central Gauteng Athletics’ (CGA) Cornelia Joubert and Hanlie Botha from Border Athletics.
Joubert and Botha stretched their lead after the first lap, but Van Jaarsveld remained within a podium place in the sub-veteran women’s race, with only Joubert and Van Tonder ahead of her, while Botha and Scheffer led the 45 to 49 and 40 to 44 races, respectively.
Van Jaarsveld looked laboured in the latter stages of the race but dug deep to hold on and secure a podium spot in her category. She ultimately crossed the line behind winner Joubert, who clinched the title in 15:37, while Van Tonder grabbed the silver three seconds later.
“It was a tough course with many ups and downs. As we went around the corner after the start, there was an uphill, then it flattened out. But there are at least about four up-and-down hills, which tire the legs. But I definitely know I can do better. I have more in me to offer. I just need to put my mind to it and get the training done,” Van Jaarsveld said.
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