At the recently concluded World u20 championships in Nairobi, Kenya, Nedbank running club juniors represented the country well with Marione Fourie and Jason Bowers proudly flying the green dream team flag high. Teammate Renier De Villiers who was scheduled to run the 800m and 1500m unfortunately had a freak accident cutting his foot open and had to withdraw from the team that departed to Kenya a week ago.
Sprinting sensation Fourie was in action over the 100m hurdles in her first appearance representing the country. Comfortably winning her heat, Fourie went into the semifinal with great confidence finishing 3rd. Her time unfortunately was ranked as the 9th fastest on the day with only 8 going through to the final. It was a great debut for Fourie who will grow in confidence with this performance.
“I am very happy with the way I ran and although it would have been great to be in the final, I leave Kenya with a happy heart,” said Fourie. It was not only the 100m hurdles though for Fourie as she was back in action as part of South Africa’s 4x100m relay squad. The South African team not only finished 6th in the 4x100m final, but also ran a new South African u20 record with a time of 45.05. This was an improvement of the South African junior record which has stood since 1984.
Bowers was in action in the boys 3000m over 7 and a half laps of the Kasarani stadium track. It was always going to be a tough ask running at an altitude of 1865 meters above sea level against the mighty East African athletes, but Bowers showed tenacity to finish 11th in a still quick 8:30.76.
The Nedbank running club are proud of its junior athletes and congratulate them all, with extra mention to Fourie being part of the team that set a new South African junior record. “This year has been a phenomenal year for our team,” said Nedbank running club national team manager Nick Bester. “It started off with Gerda Steyn smashing the long standing South African record in the marathon. Then in May we held the Nedbank 50km World record breaking barriers race where we saw both the men’s and women’s World record being broken by Nedbank athletes in the form of Ketema Negassa and Irvette Van Zyl. Now Fourie has been part of another South African record.”
The future is bright for the athletes in the green colors of Nedbank running club. “Lockdown and the pandemic definitely took a lot away from athletes, but through our wonderful and much appreciated sponsors, we have been able to motivate our athletes and keep them going and it definitely shows with all the great performances we are seeing,” said bester.