Kalmer’ s
CORNER
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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