The last sprint down the home straight proved how much Kate van Jaarsveld wanted the gold as the Farrarmere resident fended off a strong challenge from Athletic Free State’s Este van Tonder to win her first national title on September 7.
Nothing could have stopped her this time after missing out on the top three in last year’s South Africa Cross Country Championships in Gqeberha when she finished fourth.
She pulled out one last effort in the final third of the sub-veteran women’s 4km race to clinch the gold and national title in 14:32.
“I’m excited. It’s my first SA champs gold medal. I’ve placed second before. Last year, I was fourth. This year, I’ve achieved what I set out to achieve. I’m truly grateful,” said Van Jaarsveld.
Van Tonder crossed the line a second after Van Jaarsveld when she clocked 14:33 for the silver. Kobbie Griffiths from the Western Province Athletics (WPA) completed the top three in 14:39.
Placed on the far right side alongside her CGA teammates at the start, which allowed her a straight line into the first corner, Van Jaarsveld got out of the blocks quickly and settled among the leading group.
After the first loop, she was behind runaway leader Leilani Scheffer of Athletics Gauteng North (AGN), and matters remained so until 100m to the finish when Van Tonder came charging down, trying to wrestle the victory from the Nedbank RC athlete.
But Van Jaarsveld knew she could outsprint the AFS athlete and did exactly that when she charged down to win the race by a second, finishing behind overall winner Scheffer, who won the gold in the veteran (40+) women’s race in a quick-fire 14:23.
“Leilani kept cutting me off on the corners. I knew she would overtake me because she’s a phenomenal runner. I’m thankful I won my age category. I kept looking over my shoulder to see how far the second lady was.
“I could feel her closing the gap, especially at the end. I closed my eyes at one point and thought I could always rest after I’ve crossed the finish line. I gave it my all. I couldn’t see when I crossed the line. Everything went black and white. I know I put in every last effort I could to place where I placed today,” Van Jaarsveld said.
The athlete thanked her club, Nedbank RC, and coach Marco Josephs for the constant support and her two boys, Keagan and Liam, whose “unwavering support gave me the energy, power and strength to continue”.
“My boys are phenomenal. I hope one day, one of them becomes a strong athlete in whatever they choose. They’ll have my backing no matter what. I’ll be behind them 100% of the way for the rest of their lives.”
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