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Van Jaarsveld has joyous homecoming at Springs Striders Race

She won the women's 15km in 01:00:20 at the Springs Striders Race on debut.

Kate van Jaarsveld was chuffed with her victory in the women’s 15km at the Springs Striders Race on January 19, but the Farrarmere resident felt she could have done better.

She clocked 01:00:20 for victory in her debut, beating Boksburg resident Corlize Stoltz, who clocked 01:02:06 for the silver. Her Nedbank Running Club teammate, Azelle Grove, filled the last podium position 14 seconds behind Stoltz.

Kate van Jaarsveld at the start of the race.

Van Jaarsveld, who boasts a sub-59:00 PB in the distance, will be forgiven for believing she could’ve pulled off a better performance.

She grew up in Springs, and the route, which started at the Veritas College in Pollak Park, went past the dilapidated Pam Brink Stadium on Plantation Road before zig-zagging in Geduld and making the loop back to the college via Paul Kruger Road, was familiar to her.

Kate van Jaarsveld wins the women’s 15km race.

“I’m happy to have won this race. It was my first race of the year, and I’ve just returned from illness. It was a good training run in preparation and anticipation for the rest of the season,” she said.

“This is my home ground. I grew up in Springs but moved to Edenvale and then Benoni. I attended Springs Girls High. It’s my first Springs Striders Race. I dedicated this win to my father, who passed away 13 years ago,” Van Jaarsveld added.

The Nedbank Running Club athlete was nowhere near her best but admitted this victory set the tone for what’s lying ahead, especially after a successful 2024 on the road and cross-country.

Corlize Stoltz: Second in the women’s 15km.

Also Read: Van Jaarsveld wins gold at nationals

“One is never happy with their time. One of my first words as I crossed the finish line was that I could’ve done better. There’s room for improvement, especially on this course. I feel like I could’ve run a 58:00.”

Reflecting on her incredible season last year, which was stacked with several podium places, she said her performances at the Totalsports Two Oceans Half-marathon and the ASA Cross Country Championships were highlights of the season.

Dumisani Mahlangu: Men‘s 15km winner.

“I’m happy with all that I achieved last year. One of the highlights was placing 14th at the Two Oceans half-marathon and winning my category at the national cross-country champs. I had several good races where I placed first. My goal for this year is to win and try to better my times,” said Van Jaarsveld.

She will still focus on the shorter distances this year, and her goal to improve her PBs starts on January 26 in the Johnson Crane Marathon 21.1km at Willowmoore Park.

Melinda Janse van Vuuren is all smiles as she runs to the finish to win the women’s 32km.
Thabo Masina wins the men’s 15km.

Other results

The top three in the men’s 15km race finished under 51:00, with Dumisani Mahlangu winning in 50:20. Jaun-Pierre van der Berg from Brakpan clocked 50:37 for second place and Tiisetso Sebata finished third in 50:43.

Waterfall AC runner Thabo Masina and Melinda Janse van Vuuren won the main race, with Masina clinching the men’s 32km in 01:49:02 and Janse van Vuuren grabbed the women’s race in 02:19:05.

Also Read: Van Jaarsveld victorious at Boroughs of Bedford, BAC’s Silale third

   

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