CIAN’ S VOICE many people together. Every other runner seems to do it, whether it’ s the ultra or the half marathon. Newbies are running the race for the first time, some going for PBs and the elites are racing for a win or a better position than last year, or sometimes chasing records. We may not have seen a record fall this year, but we saw an exciting, inspirational race go down.
Women’ s running in South Africa has most certainly evolved over the last few years. We have so much depth that is hopefully going to continue to grow and develop. It’ s an exciting era to be a part of. I think it’ s good to recognise both the impact others have on you and that you have on others.
We break limits and boundaries because we believe it’ s possible. We believe in ourselves and have others believe in us. I was inspired by the many amazing women who came before me who went to the Olympics and showed me that dreams can come true.
It’ s like this tiny spark inside you that goes off and you realise grand and big things can come true. So you start chasing it. Others see you chasing it, so they try too, and that’ s where the magic of the running community comes together. We all have the potential to go so much further and faster, and when we work together, we grow the sport. At the recent South African Track and Field Champs in Potch, local races, and international marathons, we have seen new records set, plenty of PBs, and multiple athletes running qualifying times for the World Champs that take place in Tokyo later this year— something I am still hoping to be at. I saw a lot of hard work paying off. It was a gentle reminder to myself that it does pay off.
I may not have been there myself, racing like I would have wanted to, but man was I inspired. I was reminded that things come together when they need to. That, if I continue to work hard, I will get back onto that start line healthy and ready to take it on. It was also a reminder that I still have plenty of dreams and goals I want to chase down. I am alive, ready, and excited to take on this year. To work towards goals like everyone else. And to always cheer others on and celebrate their achievements too.
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