Ma Balancing Act
The KFM Drive Time team: Jeremy Harris, Jessica Da Silva and Rob Vember
At 48 many people are getting ready to settle into their laid back 50s, but that’ s not the case for KFM radio personality Jeremy Harris, who is hard at work in his endurance training, with a 2017 event list that includes the Discovery ITU Cape Town Triathlon, Sanlam Cape Mile swim, Fedhealth XTERRA Lite cross-Tri, and a Robben Island swim, all while balancing his work as a sports anchor and still spending quality time with his family – BY RACHEL PIENAAR
Jeremy Harris is not only a commentator when it comes to sport. He also puts his money where his mouth is, taking on many of the challenges and sports that he reports on, or does video voice-overs for, simply because he can’ t get enough of the industry! Unsurprisingly, he describes bringing sports news, facts, stats and analysis to the people as a dream job:“ I started as a weather reporter, but quickly moved to my passion for sport, and have been a sports anchor for almost 20 years now. I love sport, it is my passion, and so this job is perfect for me.”
Having just recently completed the Discovery Triathlon World Cup in Cape Town in February, at the time of writing Jeremy was doing his final preparation for his return to the Sanlam Cape Mile and Fedhealth XTERRA Lite events later in the month.“ I enjoyed the Cape Mile Swim last year, but promised myself that I’ d be back as I have to improve on my very slow time,” he joked.“ I was nervous to compete in 2016, as I’ d never taken part in an open water swim event before, but my nerves subsided quickly as the event was well organised, the other swimmers were very friendly, and the vibe on the day was great.”
He also admitted to having unfinished business with the XTERRA Lite.“ I was caught a little off-guard last year. It was tougher than I expected and I had not done enough training, but I still managed to finish. This year I know what to expect, and I want to deliver an improved performance. Mental toughness definitely comes to the forefront in this event, but I really enjoy that. It’ s also a physical challenge, and it feels great to cross the finish line.”
Born in Cape Town – in a galaxy far, far away, as he playfully puts it – Jeremy studied business management as well as marketing and sales management at Peninsula Technikon( now Cape Peninsula University of Technology), but he has been working in radio and broadcasting since 1995. He is married to Caron and is dad to twins Jack and Luca, and besides his radio work, Jeremy is also a registered
spinning instructor.“ I’ ve cycled a few Cape Town Cycle Tours, and spinning was one of the ways I trained. Then one of the instructors encouraged me to do the Instructor’ s Course, and I was a very active instructor at one stage.”
In years gone by Jeremy also played rugby, cricket, water polo, squash and badminton, and he enjoys a round of golf, where his impressive handicap of six allows him to take on most challengers. He is also a good swimmer and often takes part in triathlons.“ I swim quite a bit, about seven to ten kilometres per week, and I add in about 30 to 50 kays of cycling. I’ m not a great distance runner, however, so that is my weak area when it comes to triathlons,” he says.
Thanks to his job, this avid sportsman has had his share of exciting times in sport, witnessing some historical events both nationally and internationally.“ I’ ve been to the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in 2011, the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool in 2014, obviously the Soccer World Cup in SA in 2010, and I also went to Manchester United’ s home ground, Old Trafford, in early 2001, to mention but a few. Recently I’ ve been travelling with the Springboks to all their local matches and have worked for SA Rugby at the SA Sevens Tournament, which has given me access to some of the top teams and players in the world.”
With such a full plate, it’ s not hard to imagine that work, travelling, training and spending time with family can be a bit tricky to balance, but Jeremy gets by thanks to his positive outlook and passion for life.“ I have a view that I can always do it better … and so I watch fellow sports presenters and always try to learn from them. In terms of balancing my work, it obviously does get very busy, but I am able, somehow, to find time to spend with my family, to train and compete … oh yes, and to work as well!”
Images: Jetline Action Photo, Newsport Media & Courtesy KFM
38 ISSUE 92 MARCH 2017 / www. modernathlete. co. za