Loren runs to KZN gold
Local youngsters runs to victory in KZN U13 cross country champs.
AT the starting gun of the 1960 Olympic Marathon in Rome, no one gave Ethiopia’s barefoot athlete, Abebe Bikila, a chance of winning. However, Bikila surprised everyone by winning gold. While he did this barefoot, you’d be hard pressed to find any athlete winning a race with just one shoe on.
But an athlete in Durban North can boast of that feat, Loren Johnston, who recently claimed gold in the U13 KZN cross country champs (3km). She even earned the nickname ‘one shoe wonder’ after losing her shoe during the race and completing it with just one shoe on.
“I don’t know if I’m going to employ that tactic too often,” the Durban Girls’ College pupil smiled.
The rising star trains six days a week at Fast Feet (with athletics coach Victor Vaz) and said she felt more prepared at this, her second KZN champs.
“I felt a lot fitter this time around and I enjoyed the race, which was challenging. Crossing the finishing line in first place was an awesome feeling, I was ecstatic,” she said. Loren was also quick to acknowledge the support of her coach and parents as being paramount to her success at the champs.
Her dream is to represent South Africa and with her drive and passion, there’s no reason Loren won’t reach her dream.
