Parktown High School for Girls’ top cross country runner, Nicola Smith, beamed with pride as she reflected on her running journey and her recent commendable performance at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) top 14 Athletics Competition.
Nicola finished 00:10:01 at the TUT race, which was her personal best and broke the record by 20 seconds, as well as recording the fastest ladies’ time for the day.
The runner said it was an exciting and fulfilling moment, “After a difficult year dealing with constant back injuries, seeing that hard work finally come to fruition was incredible. I’m in a really good spot now, and while the record is great, I know this is only the beginning.”
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She added that her aunt gave up her entire day to drive her to Pretoria for the race, which meant the world to her. Her cousin, a former Division 1 athlete from Brigham Young University, was watching the feed on SuperSport all the way from America, which made the experience more special.
“Having that kind of support behind me makes me believe I can go so much faster. I’m ready to keep building on this momentum and see where it takes me.”
The Grade 11 learner added that she grew up in the pool and on the hockey field, and running was originally a tool to help her as a backstroke swimmer and as a hockey player.
“It all changed in Grade 7 when my close friend, Kaelee Hayter, encouraged me to try a club session under the guidance of the then-coach. I decided to give it a go, and that’s where the shift happened.”
As she started training more consistently, she appreciated the sport more and more.
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“There’s a unique clarity that comes with running; it’s a complete quiet in my mind where everything else fades away. It’s one of the few times I feel entirely present, focused only on the movement and the breath. Realising that running gave me that sense of peace made me understand it was more than fitness, it was my true passion.”
Nicola trains five days a week. At Parktown Girls, the runners have training sessions at Pirates Sports Club on Mondays and Thursdays, and during the week, they do team runs around the Parkview area.
“I run with Ekhaya Athletics Club, and you can’t miss us on race day in our vibrant navy and yellow kit. The energy at our club is huge; everyone is so passionate and constantly pushing each other, and it’s exactly the kind of environment that keeps you motivated.”
The top runner said her sights are set on the South African Championships at the end of March.
“The goal is to hit the 00:04:27 mark in the 1 500m to qualify for the national team. Earning my South African colours has always been the dream, whether that happens now on the track this season or later this year through cross-country, I’d be absolutely elated.
I truly believe I’m in the right space to make it happen, and I’m just focused on putting in the work to get there.”
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