#TuksAthletics: De Vries, the ‘old man’ of SA track athletics, is not slowing down

Posted on March 20, 2019

At 33 years of age Ruan de Vries can undoubtedly lay claim to being one of the “old men” of South African Track athletics; however, it does not mean he is slowing down he actually seems to be getting faster in the 110-hurdles.

 

Last night in Potchefstroom the Tuks-athlete who is part of the Grigora training group coached by Hennie Kriel set a new personal best winning in 13.45s. His previous best was 13.59s which he ran in 2013. De Vries was actually faster on Saturday during the Gauteng North Championships held at Tuks. He was clocked running 13.42s but for some reason, this time seems not to be official.

 

De Vries is now fourth on the South African all-time list. Only Antonio Alkana (13.11s in 2017), Lehann Fourie (13.24s in 2012) and Shaun Bownes (13.26s in 2001) have set faster times.

 

The Grigora-athlete is confident of being even faster. He casually mentions that 13.30s should be a realistic goal.

 

“I am still making mistakes during my races which are costing me valuable hundredths of a second. Once I execute that perfect race I know there will be a speedy time on the clock.”

 

When listening to De Vries speak about hurdling, its challenges and his dreams it becomes abundantly clear that he is driven by pure passion. Why else would anyone punish themselves physically for a few hours each day because as everyone knows there is no money to be made from South African track athletics.

 

Any lesser athlete might have called it a day a long time ago. De Vries certainly had good reason to do so considering how he had been frustrated by lousy timekeeping.

 

Two years ago in Bloemfontein, he supposedly set new South African 110m-hurdles record running 13.23s. De Vries knew the moment he crossed the line that something was wrong, but as the officials were not saying anything, so he had to claim a record he knew he did not run.

 

On social media, a lot of fun was made about the fact that so many athletes managed to run personal best times way faster than their previous best times. It was hinted that athletes who wanted to run fast times had to be in Bloemfontein on the night.

 

It was only about a week later that it was acknowledged that there were problems with the timing.

 

As a youth athlete, De Vries set a world record time at Pilditch which was never officially recognised due to a timing system that was also not functioning correctly.

 

Apart from being a timekeeping victim, De Vries suffered a severe setback in 2013 when he tore his knee ligaments. He had to wear a cast for 11 weeks and had to re-learn how to walk again. It was only his love for athletics that made him decide to take up hurdling again.

 

“The reason why I am still competing at the age of 33 is that I still have unfinished business on the track. Setting records was never a goal of mine. What I really want to achieve before I retire is to qualify to represent South Africa at a World Championship or the Olympic Games,” explained the Tuks-athlete.

- Author Wilhelm de Swardt

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