As a continuation of the Lowveld athletics preseason, athletes descended on Hoërskool Bergvlam for the school’s annual Helen Lemon Athletics Meeting.

One of the Lowveld’s favourite day/night meets, Helen Lemon is a mainstay of the local athletics preseason, with no fewer than 11 schools represented this year – a sharp increase from the six that took part last year. Held a few weeks later than in 2024, the meet goes a long way in helping athletes prepare for the main season, which starts in the new year.

It was ultimately a top day of athletics at Bergvlam on Friday, as the rain stopped just in time the night before to leave the track and field in excellent condition. The afternoon was thankfully cool, allowing athletes to take advantage of the conditions, clock impressive times on the track, and record top distances in the field.

There were also some top primary school athletes who took part to prepare themselves for life among high school athletes next year. The schools that joined hosts Bergvlam at the meeting were Komatipoort Akademie, Hoërskool Rob Ferreira, Lowveld High School, Hoërskool Nelspruit, Hoërskool Barberton, Meridian Karino, Hoërskool Lydenburg, Penryn College, Uplands College and Curro Nelspruit.