Venter buries last year’s ghost with stellar provincials performance

Charlotte Venter fell a place short of qualifying for last year’s national cross-country championships. This year, however, nothing could have stopped her from missing the spectacle in Vanderbijlpark on September 7.

The Boksburg Athletic Club (BAC) was in sublime form at the CGA Cross-Country Championships at the Kagiso Sports Complex, where she sealed her place for the nationals after clinching a bronze medal in the sub-veteran women’s 4km race.

She clocked 19:08 to finish behind winner Kate van Jaarsveld, who won in 17:00, and runner-up Kefilwe Molefe (18:48) of Colossus.

“Grabbing the third position on Saturday (August 17) and qualifying this year feels special to me. Much prayer and hard work went into this year’s training. I’m so grateful to have made it and excited for what lies ahead,” she said.

The Kempton Park resident knows well what she will be up against at the nationals, so she’s already upped her training.

“Mentally, I’m staying focused on preparing for the challenge ahead. I’m excited and working hard to be the best I can.”

Venter fully embraced the occasion on August 17 and stood with her arms on her lap at the start. She avoided the usual conversations, hugging, and short warm-up sprints often witnessed on the starting line of races.

Instead, her mind seemed elsewhere, probably racing back to last year’s provincials, where she finished fourth on the same course, missing the opportunity to compete at the sport’s highest level.

She was brought back to the present by the sound of the gun, quickly squeezing herself into the group behind runaway leader Van Jaarsveld. After the first 2km, Venter lost ground on the leaders and seemed to fade, but some self-introspection did the trick.

Opportunity

She swore to herself she wouldn’t lose out on another opportunity, and greater motivation came from her husband, Lucas, and son, Adrian, who reminded her of her goal after passing them at the halfway mark.

“I put in all the work and thought of my family rooting for me. I knew if I pushed hard enough, I would make it. I increased my pace, passed fellow athletes along the way and kept an eye on the age tags. I realised I was within reach of third place. I pushed harder and eventually passed the third lady,” Venter said.

It was the perfect opportunity for Venter to show her class after all her hard work during the league season. Though the race left her almost decimated, she was exhilarated to finish in the top three, making her club and teammates proud.

“It was a tough race. I was up against tough competitors and had my work cut out for me for sure. The most challenging part was the last hill and the last 400m to the finish for me. It’s definitely the one to remember.”

She thanked Lucas and Adrian for being her pillars.

“To be able to train and race with my son is the best feeling in the world. I have no words to describe how blessed and lucky I am always to have my husband – my biggest supporter – near to motivate and cheer me on. I love my family,” said Venter.

Also Read: Venter shines at cross-country league event

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