Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC) youngsters Baxter Towers and Quinn Schonken say competing at the ASA cross country championships in Pretoria on September 5 was about far more than finishing positions.

The two young Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) runners made their national championship debuts, turning long-held dreams into reality as they lined up alongside some of the best young cross-country runners in South Africa.

Towers said the experience was the culmination of a dream that had survived an arm injury earlier in the year.

“My first time at ASA cross country champs was amazing. This was a big dream of mine and I’ve worked really hard, even after breaking my arm at the start of the year, to make this dream come true,” said Towers.

Although nervous before the start, Towers was thrilled to find himself on the starting line with the country’s fastest U10 boys.

The challenging course, which included several obstacles, tested the youngsters but also provided valuable experience as he finished 48th in the U10 boys’ 2km in a field of more than 100 runners.

“It was a tough but fun course and I will take the lessons I’ve learnt with me to next year’s race,” he said.

Finishing inside the top 50 on his national debut was a source of immense pride for the young runner, who already has his sights set on returning next year.

“I love to run and I will be back next year.”

Schonken’s journey to the national championships was equally special.

She has dreamed of competing at the SA Championships since she was five, having started cross-country in Grade R.

Seeing local runners featured in the Benoni City Times inspired her to imagine herself one day following in their footsteps.

“I often saw the runners on the back page of the Benoni City Times and I wanted that to be me,” she said.

That dream became a reality this year when her coach told her it was time to qualify for nationals. Despite it being her first season competing in CGA cross-country, Schonken quickly showed her potential, finishing second at the CGA Championships last month to earn her place at the national event.

She then produced an impressive 12th-place finish in the U12 girls’ 3km at the ASA championships.

While she initially felt disappointed with her position, her perspective changed after conversations with her mother and coach.

“At first I felt disappointed in my 12th place finish, but once my mom and my coach explained to me that it was all the best U12s in South Africa, I realised that it is a great achievement,” she said.

That realisation allowed Schonken to appreciate just how significant her debut had been.

“I can say I’m currently the 12th fastest U12 girl in South Africa.”

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