Boksburg trail runner Kai Hattingh confirmed her status as the top junior female runner in the Revolution Trails series after ringing in the New Year with a victory in the River Fun Run at the Pretoria Botanical Gardens, on January 13.
The 12-year-old athlete sent a message to the rest of the line-up in her division that she won’t be slowing down this year after breasting the tape in 29:01 in the 5km trail event, to become the first female and second athlete, overall, at the finish.
This win follows a string of wins in the series last year, which started with a victory at BusStop7 Fun Run in Mooikloof Heights in Pretoria on September 23.
The youngster, who runs for the Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC), followed that up with another victorious outing in the Heritage Day Trail Run on September 25 at the Cow House in Pretoria East.
The Baanbreker Primary School learner continued her rich vein of form in the series with three win in October – first at the ARC Irene Run on October 14, another victory at BusStop7 on October 21 and on October 28 in the River Trail Run.
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Kai added two more victories in November, claiming her third win at BusStop7, before going on to bag her second victory in the ARC Irene Run on November 18.
She ended the year with her fourth victory at the BusStop7 Open Market, winning the BusStop7 Fun Run in a time of 29:01 for her eighth win of 2023.
Kai also finished in the top 10 of the Midvaal Madmac 5km race on July 15, crossing the line seventh overall in the juniors category and as the sixth female runner at the finish.
Her father, Frikkie, who is also her coach, said he was proud of the youngster, adding that she’s a motivated athlete whose hard work “comes second to none”.
“We never expected her to excel as quickly as she did. Kai puts in the work at training for long hours. Winning is nice but reaching her goals, step by step, makes me proud. She has big dreams for her life,” he said.
Frikkie encouraged Kai, who is also a gymnast, to continue working hard so that she can achieve her goals.
“As her father and coach, I’m proud of her. I only want to see her succeed and reach her dreams. She’s got the potential but I won’t pressurise her.
“I want her to know she can become anything she wants to be. Kai’s a true inspiration to us as her family. We expect great things from her this year with many more accomplishments in the athlete season.”
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