SA runner Jess Trengove inspires youngsters ahead of Rio Games
AS SA marathon runner Jess Trengove prepares to compete at the Rio Olympics, she is inspiring the next generation to do the same.
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AS MARATHON runner Jess Trengove prepares to compete at the Olympics, she is inspiring the next generation to do the same.
Trengove took time out from her Rio preparations last week to speak to athletes at St Andrew’s School in Walkerville.
“The main message I want to put across to kids is to dream big, but also enjoy the journey along the way,” Trengove, 28, says.
The runner’s words of encouragement resonated with St Andrew’s students Lola Olalekan, 10, and Elizabeth Allen, 12.
Elizabeth, of St Georges, won the school’s cross country race this month.
Lola, of Walkerville, narrowly beat her twin sister, Lare, to claim the 11-and-under category.
“I’d actually never thought about running in the Olympics before,” Lola says.
“But now that I’ve heard from Jess and what she does, I want to run in the Olympics as well.”
Trengove is thrilled to meet young athletes in her home state.
“It’s great to realise the positive impact you’re having on other people’s lives and to think that you might be inspiring that next generation to represent their country,” she says.
“Olympians like Rachael Sporn (basketball) and Benita Willis (long-distance running) came to my school when I was young and I found all of those experiences really inspiring.
“Suddenly your dreams just become that little bit more alive when you see someone in the flesh who’s actually been to the Olympics.”
Trengove, of Erindale, has recovered from the foot injury that caused her to miss the World Half Marathon Championships in Cardiff in March.
But the Olympian says the setback might help her build on her bronze at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
“Injury always puts things in perspective, so I’m really grateful just to be running again,” she says.
“It’s taken the pressure off in a sense, because now I’m just enjoying improving every week.”
Originally published as SA runner Jess Trengove inspires youngsters ahead of Rio Games
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