Kalmer ’ s
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BACK TO THE FUTURE !
I started running at the age of nine , but my big breakthrough came seven years later , in 1997 . At the time I was 16 years old and had just started competing against senior athletes at certain meetings , just to gain experience and improve my times in order to qualify for the World Junior Championship . There was no pressure on me , but that soon changed . – BY RENÉ KALMER
Although it happened exactly 20 years ago , I still remember it as yesterday , walking into the Kenneth Mcarthur Stadium in Potchefstroom to compete as a junior at the SA Senior Track and Field Championship in the 1500m . The National Anthem for the medal ceremony was playing and I thought that it must be a wonderful feeling to stand on that podium . Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined that a few hours later I would be standing on top of the podium myself !
Ian Laxton was doing the TV commentary on that race and with 150 metres to go he mentioned that I was fading in third position . It was as if I had heard him , and I responded with a mean kick , winning the race in a personal best time of 4:16 . I was over the moon ! It was also broadcast on TV and for weeks after that I watched the recorded VHS tape over and over again … till a family member accidentally taped Orkney Snork Nie over it !
Continued Success
Next stop was the World Junior Cross Country Championship in Turin , Italy . The South African team stayed in the same hotel as the Kenyan team , and the evening before the race I shared a lift with the defending World Junior Champion , Rose Kosgei . I recognised her and wished her luck for the race the next day , and she asked me what my goals were for the race . I explained that my mission was to improve on my position from the previous year , when the World Champs were held in Stellenbosch , and I remember I was a bit nose-out-of-joint when she actually sympathised with my 35 th position , which I had been very proud of . That next day I came 12 th surprising both Rose and myself .
Another highlight in 1997 was being part of the Senior SA team to compete at the Southern Region Track and Field Championship in Durban . I was giving my all to try and finish on the podium , lying third , and didn ’ t realise that I was quickly catching up with the leaders , ‘ Tannies ’ Gwen Griffiths and Carlien Cornelius , who were fighting it out for first prize . Gwen was leading the race and with 30 metres to go , I managed to catch and pass her . Her only response was a swear word , and thinking back later , it was probably a bit cheeky of me to beat her , as a junior , in front of her home crowd .
Fortunately , we became good friends , and I have huge respect for all her achievements over the years , including finishing ninth in the 1500m at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta , USA . I ’ m also grateful for her husband , Lawrence van Lingen , who is a chiropractor and is always willing to go out of his way to treat me . Although they are now based in the USA , he is always willing to help , whether it is in London or when they are visiting friends and family in SA .
Experienced Elder
20 Years later I am now one of the ‘ elder athletes ’ and realise the valuable experience I have gained running for so many years . 20 years ago I looked up to Gwen , Elana Meyer , Zola Pieterse , Blanche Moila and others , and although I am still racing , I realise that the younger athletes are now looking at this ‘ tannie ’ for motivation , wisdom , pep talks and general friendship . I am privileged to be able to share my knowledge and experience with the young stars of the future , notably by being part of the KPMG team involved with mentoring the Hoerskool Vorentoe athletes coached by Mr Hans Saestad . The passion , commitment , but also innocence of these school kids is a daily throwback to my early days of running .
Images : Courtesy René Kalmer
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10 ISSUE 92 MARCH 2017 / www . modernathlete . co . za