Ten-year-old Onwabo Padi from Laerskool Millennium Primary School has made his school and community proud after an outstanding performance at the recent West Rand Marathon held at Tambotie Mall.

“I started running in Grade 2 at my school. We had athletics and my teacher told me to try the sprint races. I liked it because it felt exciting to run fast. I then tried cross country which I liked more. Then my parents took me to park runs and I since then I’ve always wanted to do more,” said the young runner on how his running journey began.

Competing in the 5km race, Onwabo demonstrated remarkable determination and endurance beyond his years, finishing 11th overall out of 434 runners. Among male participants, he secured 10th place, further highlighting his strong showing in a competitive field.

“I enjoy the feeling when I’m running fast and trying to catch the person in front of me. I also like it when my family cheers for me at the finish line. Getting a medal and seeing my time improve makes me really happy,” explained Onwabo.

Even more impressive is his placement within the U19 category, where he finished 6th, an extraordinary achievement for a runner so much younger than many of his competitors.

Onwabo’s performance is a testament to his dedication, discipline, and natural athletic ability. His achievement not only reflects his personal commitment but also serves as an inspiration to fellow learners and aspiring young athletes across the community.

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“I want to come first in the next 5km race I do. When I’m older, I want to try a 10km race. My biggest goal is to keep getting better and make my school and community proud. Maybe one day I can run for Gauteng,” he said.

With such a promising start, Onwabo Padi is certainly a young talent to watch on the local athletics scene.