Rand Park High School girls excel at orienteering school’s league
Eden Harris, Piper de Klerk, Bailie de Klerk, and Leia Harris, all from Rand Park High School, participated at the Gauteng Orienteering Schools League (GOSL), with good finishes in the junior and senior categories.
The team of Rand Park High School girls shone at the final event of the 2025 Gauteng Orienteering Schools League held at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens.
The final event had fifteen schools fielding junior, as well as senior teams. The series runs for six weeks at the beginning of each year, using different venues for each event, and attracting up to 400 learners.
Read more: Rand Park Highs debutantes and squires raise over R635 000
The girls were the main contenders the whole series, and, in the final, scored exceptional placings in the individual categories. Eden Harris won the junior girls’ course, while, for the seniors, it was a top three finish for Piper de Klerk, Bailie de Klerk, and Leia Harris, who came first.
With the top five runners from each school scoring towards an overall trophy, the girls were crowned runners up to very strong competition from the all-boys team from Jeppe High School, the eventual winners.
Also read: Falcons soar to victory at Rand Park Primary swimming gala
Piper explained that she performed reasonably well, considering it will be her last season of school orienteering. “I was there to just soak up the enjoyment and excitement waiting for the results to come out. Overall, I had a good season, finishing fourth for the year, although a podium placing would have been even better. Considering the little time I had to train, in my matric year, I’m proud of my achievements.”
She added that the event was tough, as some of the competition was sneaky, and she didn’t see them coming until the very end. “I managed to outpace them. Some of the challenges get you tired, with running, and they can tax your navigational skills. Just one small stumble could cost you several places in the results.”
Orienteering is a cross-country running activity where competitors must locate several checkpoints in the rough terrain, aided only with a detailed map and a compass. Although entrants, aged from eight to 80, are eligible, the events are contested in specific age categories, with course distances and complexity to suit.
The Rand Athletic Club Orienteers are always eager to show newcomers the techniques, providing basic instruction and easy to learn beginner events, with distances from 1km to 10km for the more adventurous.
The next urban event will take place at Riversands Farm Village in March 30. To learn more about the sport visit: Racorienteers.co.za
Follow us on our Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok pages. Join our WhatsApp group for any story ideas you may have.
Related article: New learners join Rand Park High family
