Irvette van Blerk, the sensational new 15-year-old star of South African athletics, recorded an excellent victory in the Zevenheuvelen road race over 15km here yesterday.
It was the 19th running of the event which is one of Holland’s most popular road races. 20 110 competitors started and the young West Rand scholar finished overall in 73rd position.
Her winning time of 51 mininutes and 6 seconds was 2 minutes and 12 seconds faster than the SA junior record set by Elana Meyer in Cape Town in 1984.
She defeated the second woman, Irma Heeren of the Netherlands by 21 sec. Van Blerk ran a remarkably consistent race. She covered the first 5km in 17 minutes and five seconds, the second 5km in 17:10, for a time of 34 minutes and 15 seconds and the final stretch in 16:19.
Her time was not only a new national junior best but it also made her the ninth fastest SA woman over the distance.
Many experts rate the young Irvette as a future Zola Budd or Elana Meyer.
She has already performed with distinction this year in South African track, cross country and road races.
She is coached by JP van der Merwe who aided Hezekiel Sepeng to become one of the world’s best 800 metres runners. – Sapa