Edenglen teacher selected for CGA team
Jaarsveld who felt happy and confident on race day placed fourth out of the Gauteng runners and Seventh in South Africa.
After qualifying to run at the Central District Championships where she placed seventh, Edenglen High School math teacher Kate Jaarsveld was asked to run for the Central Gauteng Athletics Squad at an event in Amanzimtoti.
Jaarsveld, who felt happy and confident on race day, placed fourth out of the Gauteng runners and seventh in South Africa.
Only having just gotten back into running, Jaarsveld is competing in the senior women age category from 23 to 34 years of age.
Next year she will be able to choose to stay in this category or to move into the next age category.
Jaarsveld’s has had a long-standing passion for running.
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While in high school she used to run the 800m, the 1 500m and was part of her school’s relay team.
After leaving school Jaarsveld ran some road races where she placed in the top 15. Although she never ran competitively, Jaarsveld only ran to remain fit and healthy.
When the Park runs initially started, Jaarsveld started to run these races every Saturday.
She would often place first among the women and with fellow runners and others encouraging her to run competitively.
Last July Jaarsveld decided to start running again. She said it felt so nice to be able to be outside the confines of her home.
“I made it a habit to get out and run every afternoon.”
She often saw the same community members each day when she started her runs.
“Eventually a group of men approached me and asked me if I would like to join them on their afternoon runs. They stated that perhaps it was not such a good idea to be a woman running alone,” explained Jaarsveld.
After much persuasion, she agreed to join them.
Little did she know that this would become an afternoon fixation and a way for her to unwind. Jaarsveld runs most days of the week, in the sunshine, the freezing weather or even in the rain.
She averages about 8km a day and over the weekends, 10km and 17km to 20km every Sunday.
During lockdown, races have been few and far between.
Benoni Northerns Sports Club has hosted a weekly 4km time trial, which Jaarsveld enjoys partaking in.
She explained that it allows one to race against others and to try to improve your weekly time. So far, Jaarsveld ’s personal best for the 4km is 14:48.
Jaarsveld’s journey towards the Gauteng Central Athletics squad started after a fellow runner suggested that they partake in the cross-country races in and around Gauteng.
Following her success in KwaZulu-Natal Murray and Robert’s has also approached Jaarsveld for a sponsorship.
Edenglen High School congratulated Jaarsveld on her achievement and will continue to support her.
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