The CGA tracksuits and running kit reminded Northerns’ junior athlete Henry Hamman of ‘what’s coming’ at the ASA cross-country championships at Izak Steyl Stadium at the Vaal University of Technology on September 7.
Henry earned provincial colours at last month’s CGA championships after finishing fifth in the U8 boys’ 1km race in 04:47 to qualify for the national showpiece.
“I am nervous but excited. I am proud of myself and waiting for the gun to go off to represent my province,” he said.
That he never finished outside the top five in his category during the provincial cross-country season, despite his lightheartedness, underlines the importance of allowing youngsters to have fun instead of being pushed hard to grind out the results.
Always relaxed and playing about in the call room and on the stroll to the starting line, the runner could be mistaken for someone who takes racing lightly because of his playful nature.
Though he is competitive, the reality is this Northerns youngster loves the sport but wants to have fun while learning the intricacies and demands that come with it.
His first performance in league five in Daveyton is a far cry from his sublime performance at the provincials on August 17, where he qualified for the national championships on September 7.
Although he clocked 04:44 on that Saturday morning at Marivate Park compared to 04:47 at the provincials, he could not shake off the butterflies.
“My first race was scary,” he said.
“I started crying at the start. I don’t know what I was feeling. The races after the first one went much better.”
In his second race in Westonaria, he clocked a PB of 04:08 and 04:22 in league seven in Germiston, while he got his first top-three finish of the season in Delta Park after crossing the line 04:15 for third place.
He concluded the provincial season with 04:47 for fifth place on a tough course at Kagiso Sports Complex.
“When racing at the provincials, I realised how important this race was and that I could go to the nationals. I appreciate the effort from my coach to get me where I am. This would not be possible without him. His support, and my teammates, kept me going.”
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