Spar Women’s Race champion Kerry O’Farrell said running is her life and even encourages children to participate in race events to improve their academic activities.
O’Farrell spoke to Fourways Review on 10 October, just three days after she, together with her 191 schoolchildren, finished the esteemed race held at the Marks Park Sports Ground.
Read: SPAR Women’s Race: See if you can spot yourself!
A Johannesburg Girls’ Preparatory School teacher, she has participated in various major races including the Comrades Marathon.
The 10 km runner of the Spar Women’s Race is also a member of the Rand Athletics Club in Joburg and said she’s been a member since 2007.
O’Farrell’s interest in the Spar Women’s Race started in 2008 and she said she has been participating ever since.
She has been taking schoolchildren as well their parents to the race and they have truly been reaping the rewards.
“When we started in 2008 we had only 66 learners participating and we came from behind. This year we had 191 learners and their parents participating in the race and we finished the race and scooped the first prize,” said O’Farrell.
Read: VIDEO: Irvette van Zyl wins the 10km Spar Women’s Challenge
“The race is about how many entries were received and the number of participants who finished from team Johannesburg Girls’ Preparatory School and not who won it individually.”
Their win saw the Berea-based girls-only school receiving computers to boost their information and communications technology (ICT) at the school.
O’Farrell said this is one of her legacies she wants to leave behind whenever the time comes to leave the school, adding that that will however not be anytime soon – ‘this is my home’.
The Spar Women’s Race champion describes the occasion as a fun morning out with children and their parents from their formal academic activities.
“I’ve always believed that teaching is not only about being in a classroom teaching academics only but also doing sport and other outdoor activities.
“Also, I want to show these kids that there is so much more in the world than just academics. My purpose in life is to empower people academically and otherwise.”
O’Farrell encourages pupils, teachers as well parents to participate in running events saying even if it is not a 10 km but at least 5 km races as a start.
The runner said she is preparing for two major racing events in Joburg citing the 947 Cycling Challenge as well as the 32 km Tough One Racing Challenge with her team at the Rand Athletics Club in November.
“I am raising funds for the Smile Foundation,” she concluded.
Details: Johannesburg Girls’ Preparatory School 011 023 9840.
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