Life The Glynnwood radiology staff member and B4C Crossfit athlete Kerri Huntington achieved first place in the 5km Spartan race at Loftus Versfeld Stadium recently.
She competed in the 30-34 women’s age category and the 5km race included 25 obstacles, such as the stadium stairs, monkey bars, tight rope and spear throwing and 15 burpees per obstacle that was failed.
What makes Huntington exceptional is the fact that a year ago, she had to have a pacemaker fitted.
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It had to be replaced four months ago as it was protruding through her skin.
A pacemaker is a small device which is placed in the chest or abdomen to help control abnormal heart rhythms. This device uses electrical pulses to prompt the heart to beat at a normal rate.
Huntington required a pacemaker due to her heart rate dropping substantially, which caused her to have random blackouts.
The final straw, she explained, was when one of these blackouts led her to a CT scan.
The pacemaker has put an end to the blackouts and Huntington heart is beating at a normal rate.
Despite these challenges, Huntington continued to enjoy her love of fitness.
“I have always been big on fitness and all the pacemaker did was give me more drive to achieve the impossible; more drive for life,” she said.
“Since having the pacemaker fitted, I have done things like bungee jumping and free falling.
“Life is an adventure, you have to live it to the fullest.
“I am weary of my pacemaker when I compete, but I don’t stress too much because if something is going to happen, it’s going to happen.
Huntington has competed in Spartan races before.
In her first one, she came third and in her second one, she did the Trifecta, which is all three races in one weekend, a total of 80 obstacles and about 40km in distance.
“I was dehydrated for a whole week after that and couldn’t train at all,” she said.
“The sun takes a lot out of you, but I would do it all again.
“It was such an amazing feeling.
“I have competed in the Spartan races three times and to finally win first place shows I am working towards my goals.”
Huntington has also competed in the Warrior Race – her first with some of the doctors from Life The Glynnwood – and has since completed four races.
Crossfit B4C also hosts competitions which Huntington competes in.
“They recently held a competition called The Last Man Standing in which about 80 people are in a category and there are eight different workouts.
“I took second place in my category as the fastest woman and fastest rower.
“I just want people to see that nothing can stop you from chasing your dreams, not even a pacemaker.”
Huntington has been running since primary school, but she has one memory she will cherish forever.
“I have a friend, Anne-Marie Scholtz, who competed with me at Spartan.
“I had the honour of taking her hand and getting her past the finish line through the final obstacle which was lined with fire.
“We pushed and encouraged each other all the way and she came in third.”
“I train everyday, regardless of whether there is a race or not. I get about two to three hours of training in each day.” said Huntington.
“If you are in your comfort zone, then you won’t improve.”
