What started as tagging along with her mother on training runs for middle-distance athlete Kara Beytell has grown into a breakthrough athletics journey filled with national championship appearances, new challenges and big dreams for the future.

The Nedbank Running Club youngster enjoyed a memorable track and field season, announcing herself as one of the rising talents in the steeplechase after qualifying for the finals at both the club and schools’ national championships.

Competing in the demanding 1 500m steeplechase for the first time, Beytell, from Springs, quickly adapted to the technical event that combines endurance, speed and obstacle-clearing ability.

“It was very fun. It was very long,” she said with a laugh while reflecting on the season she rates as her best yet.

Her introduction to the steeplechase came from simply watching other athletes compete.

“I saw everybody else doing it, and I said, ‘Wow, that looks fun.’ I watched how their techniques were and maybe copied what they were doing.”

That fearless approach paid off as Beytell clocked impressive times throughout the season, earning selection to represent CGA at the national championships before also competing at the schools nationals in Pretoria.

The journey to the nationals, however, was not without challenges. Constant date changes and scheduling uncertainty tested her mental strength, especially while balancing preparations for the cross-country season.

“It was confusing a lot. It made motivation hard because the dates kept changing all the time,” she explained. “But when I first got to the stadium and saw all those people, everything just changed.”

Despite the pressure and uncertainty, the Hoërskool Kempton Park learner thrived on the big stage and believes the season helped her grow tremendously as an athlete.

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“This was my first year going to SA’s for athletics and even going to club champs, so it was lots of fun and very new.”

Away from the track, Beytell is also a talented mountain biker, although running remains closest to her heart.

Her love for athletics was inspired by her mother, Elaine, whose unwavering support continues to shape her sporting journey.

“It started with my mom running. She trained every day and dragged me along. At first, I didn’t like running at all, but then I started loving it.”

Now Elaine plays a central role in helping her daughter balance athletics, cross-country and mountain biking.

“My mom wakes me up very early, and she makes me go to all of them and keeps me motivated to do it,” Beytell said.

“I don’t think it would be possible to stay that motivated without someone by your side.”

Beytell’s ambitions stretch far beyond school competition. Inspired by South African ultramarathon star Gerda Steyn, she dreams of one day conquering the Comrades Marathon.

“I want to be running Comrades one day and winning it like Gerda Steyn,” she said.

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