ROAD RUNNING
Proud podium pic in Cape Town with Tadu Nare and Kesa Molotsane
Cian Oldknow comes home third in the 2021 SPAR Women ’ s Grand Prix race in Cape Town
surprise , given that two of them were at altitude – but then Cian lined up in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10km on 31 October , which also hosted the SA 10km Champs , and shattered her PB by nearly 30 seconds , clocking a 33:48 finish . It was a fitting way to round off a fantastic year of getting back to racing after the long COVID break , but more was to follow .
The PB Streak Continues
Cian brought that same form into 2022 , kicking the year off in style with a 3000m PB ( 9:40.21 ) at the first Cape Milers Summer Series meet in Cape Town on 4 January . On 22 January she lowered her 1500m best to 4:38.68 at the first Athletics Gauteng North ( AGN ) League meet , chalked up a 5000m PB of 16:54.25 at the Central Gauteng Athletics ( CGA ) Middle Distance Challenge on 3 February , and then improved her 1500m time to 4:34,85 at the second AGN League meet on 16 Feb . “ That 4:34 surprised me a bit , as speed is not really my strongpoint . I told my coach , George Bradley , that I wanted to try get close to 4:30 this year , and he was bit dubious that I was there yet , but that 4:34 showed that my speed was improving ,” says Cian .
Next , on 22 February , Cian posted 16:40.59 for 5000m at the second CGA Middle Distance Challenge , meaning she was now a minute faster than a year before , and just over a month later , on 28 March , she absolutely shattered that mark with a 16:12.97 at sea level in the Athletes Academy Track Series in Stellenbosch . April brought another three new bests , starting on the sixth with an 800m in 2:22.49 at the ASA Athletics Grand Prix in Potchefstroom , following which Cian claimed the silver medal in the 1500m at the CGA Champs , run as preparation for the SA Champs later that month in Cape Town .
At the national champs , Cian started with another huge 5000m best of 15:55.52 to clinch sixth place in one of the strongest 5000m fields ever assembled in this country , and two days later , she added a 10,000m PB of 33:16.58 as she finished second behind Glenrose Xaba and booked her spot on the South African team for the African Champs . “ I smiled for days after that silver medal in the 10,000m ,” says Cian . “ It was a huge PB for me , bringing my best at sea level down from 38:25 , and ended the SA track season on such a high !”
While the African Champs race ultimately proved a bit disappointing for Cian , her transition to road is already seeing her pick up where she left off , with still more stunning PBs coming her way . In May , she lined up in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K and took home a new PB of 33:41 , and two weeks later she clocked an even faster 33:37 in the first leg of the 2022 SPAR Grand Prix Series in Gqeberha .
Path Mapped to Success
The remarkable thing about this impressive list of PBs is that Cian ran many of them in consecutive races in 2021 and 2022 , seemingly posting a new best every time she lined up to race . When asked to what she attributes all this improvement and success , she answers that it is down to a combination of coaching , support of club and sponsors , a higher level of experience , and her hunger for success . “ It ’ s all of those – everything aligned at the same time , and that helped me to keep going ,” says Cian .
“ I think the main factor has been George becoming my coach , upping my mileage , adding strength work , getting me running more consistently , and providing a higher level of coaching . Also , when lockdown began I was suffering with tendinitis in my foot , so I took the opportunity to do more strength training to make up for not running , so I got stronger , and I find I am more resilient to niggles now . Added to that , I looked seriously at my nutrition , and I am now eating more whole foods , have cut down on sugar and sweets , and make sure I ’ m correctly fuelled for workouts . George has given me great advice in this regard .”
Cian is also quick to attribute part of her success to her club , Murray & Roberts . “ Joining them has brought me more opportunities to race , thanks to their support , and another factor has been my change in attitude . I am naturally a
Cian is looking forward to more opportunities in SA colours
19