Clinton crosses the country
When Clinton Kriel started cross-country running it seemed almost by accident.
He started with athletics at Hoër Tegniese Skool (HTS), as the cross-country coach noticed his potential for long distance running he was invited to try it out. Now he can’t get enough. Clinton’s most recent achievement is coming first at this year’s Greatest Train Race in the Junior Category with a time of 2:15 minutes.
This is the second year that he has achieved this feat and next year he is planning to make it three. Clinton practises almost every day with the cross-country team at HTS and enjoys the athletics season in the beginning of the year, which means Clinton is active all year around.
Some of his other achievements include SA colours for cross country and good positions in many other competitions throughout the season. A lot of the support and encouragement he gets is from his coach that even runs some events with them. Clinton says his parents have been very supportive as well.
Just like any other endurance race, being in the right state of mind for the train race is very important as well.
“You get to a point where your feet can’t carry you any more, running with friends and encouraging one another is very important, and you just have to keep going. It is definitely not easy,” said Clinton.
His dream for the future is to make it to the finish line of a Comrades Marathon one day.
