South African athlete Nolene Conrad embodied the very essence of her spirited performance in Valencia last month. Running in the colours of South Africa, she achieved IAAF Gold Label Status by coming 25th in the world half-marathon championships in a time of 1:11:44.
Life has not been easy for Conrad. She was born in Bishop Lavis, and if being surrounded by drugs, violence, unemployment and poverty was not enough, at an early age Conrad was also diagnosed as a chronic asthmatic.
Life was bleak and hopeless when a chronic attack of asthma forced the teenager to have a deep, long look into the depths of her soul.
“As I lay in the emergency room staring up at the soulless neon lights, the doctor who had brought me back to life spoke slowly and clearly.”
He said if I didn’t change my lifestyle and began looking after myself, I will not see my 21st birthday. I had to make a choice. I chose life.”
On March 24, 2018, she achieved IAAF Gold Label Status.
Conrad commented, “My success today is largely due to the collective synergy of mentors, supporters, friends, coaches and sponsors, in particular, my mentor Elana Van Zyl-Meyer, Endurocad, my province WPA and my club KPMG who have and continue to support me in my running journey.”
Vice-President of Western Province Athletics, Jakes Jacobs said: “Nolene is an example to young people in the Western Province and indeed South Africa of what can be achieved when true grit and determination overcome life’s drawbacks and disadvantage.”
In Valencia to support her were former world half-marathon record holder and IAAF Gold Label Status Cape Town Marathon ambassador Elana Van Zyl–Meyer and Cape Town Marathon race director Janet Welham.
“I know how much this means to Nolene. She has worked extremely hard and deserves becoming one of the country’s four Gold Label Status athletes,” said Van Zyl-Meyer.
This March, in Valencia, this courageous woman made us proud of the green and gold. You can follow her journey from Bishop Lavis to Valencia on www.noleneconrad.co.za Nolene’s next international race will be in the IAAF Gold Label Status Vienna Marathon.
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