Parkrand distance runner Kai Hattingh opened her season with a dominant gun-to-tape performance at the Springs Striders Road Race on January 18.

Determined to start the year on a high, Hattingh shot to the front after the gun, pacing herself well to ultimately power her way to the women’s 5km title in a time of 20:04. The Springs Striders’ Amorè Steyn took the runner-up spot.

Hattingh told the paper after her race that she planned to lead from the start, adding that this set the tone for her season.

“I started the race well. The hills were a little bit challenging, but I maintained my composure and ran a good race,” she said.

Also Read: Hattingh secures her first podium finish at Absa Run Your City

One of the standout emerging junior distance runners in last year’s SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge, the Nedbank Running Club youngster was inspired to aim high, running alongside the country’s elite female athletes like Glenrose Xaba and Tayla Kavanagh.

“I felt inspired running next to someone like Glenrose. She’s a top athlete we all look up to. She’s achieved a lot and is a great ambassador for our sport. I couldn’t believe I was running with the best of the best in those races,” said Hattingh.

Looking ahead, the 14-year-old will take another stab at the SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge series, while also participating in other 10km races across the province.

“It was fun when I started running in the 10km races last year. I feel like I run well when I run in the longer races than the shorter distances.”

Also Read: Hattingh and Coetzer off to Bloemfontein for nationals