Glen Anil family ready to conquer Obstacle World Champs

OVERCOMING challenges and obstacles isn’t anything new for Glen Anil family, the Eksteens.

As top competitors in the Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) competitive scene, Claude and Trish Eksteen and their sons, Daniel (12) and Keagan (14), have been leaving their mark on competitions both locally and nationally.

Now, the quartet, who train at Adventure Obstacle Training (AOT), will be representing South Africa on the international stage.

They are currently gearing up for the Fédération Internationale de Sports d’Obstacles (FISO) OCR World Championships which will be held in Genk, Belgium, and which features athletes from more than 100 countries.

Trish and Claude will be competing in the 15km/50-obstacle standard course, 3km/20-obstacle short course, as well as the 3km/20-obstacle mixed-team race in the Elite category. And Redwood College learners Daniel and Keagan will be taking on the 3 km/20-obstacle short course in the Youth category.

For Trish, being able to compete at the World Champs with her family is going to be one of the most treasured moments.

“The thing that is stressing me out the most is the mixed-team race. I will be doing that with Claude and Brandon Hulley, two of the fastest OCR racers in the country. So, my task will be trying to keep up with them,” Trish explained. “Overall, I’m just looking forward to competing at the World Champs and sharing it with my sons. Claude and I made the decision at the beginning of this year that if we don’t qualify as a family, then we won’t go. I think Claude and I are past that point where it’s just about us; now it’s about taking this once-in-a-lifetime chance. I don’t know what [my sons] want to do in their careers, but the most special feeling is having them there with us,” she said.

Her comments were echoed by Claude.

“I’m very proud of my sons. Qualifying for the World Champs was such a bonus as we get to share this moment with Keagan and Daniel. This is also an OCR World Champs of firsts: The first official World Champs under a federation; it’s our first World Champs, and we are the first family to qualify from South Africa. Both Trish and I have been to the Independent World Champs, but this is exciting to have it officially under one federation,” he said.

For Grade Nine learner Keagan, his aim is to finish in the top 10 in the U16 age group race. He will also be competing in the U16 team race.

“I’m very excited but a bit nervous. It’s been extremely challenging, but we’ve been training really hard for the champs. I’ve got two goals in mind; finishing the race would be the bare minimum, and my overall goal would be to finish in the top 10. To succeed in this sport, you have to have a positive mindset. I think my parents have prepared my brother and me, both physically and mentally, for the World Champs so I’m up for the challenge. We want to make them and the country proud,” he said.

For younger brother Daniel, who is in Grade Six, the honour of representing his country is at the forefront of his mind.

“It is such an honour to represent South Africa on the world stage. Many people don’t often have the opportunity to do that, and it is humbling. I will be competing in the U12 category, and I’m nervous, but I also hope for the best. I think, in life, as long as you do your best, you’ll succeed in most things. It means the world to me to compete in Belgium but also to have my parents not only supporting me but competing, too,” he said.

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