By Michelle Hammann

Danielle Verster has been in the running game for most of her life. She is currently a North-West University (NWU) student-athlete and has been sponsored by Nike for five years. She has been to numerous countries for athletics championships, mostly for the 1 500 m or 800 m, and for cross-country events. 

She is well-known in the athletics community and Potchefstroom, where she is a third year studying for a Bachelor of Consumer Sciences in Food Product Management. She says that she has competed in about 20 races this year alone and was placed in the top three in most of them.

Recently, she won the British Milers Club women’s 3 000 m race in England, where she surpassed her own personal best (PB) time by seven seconds and achieved a time of under 9 minutes at 8:56.87. The announcers were also astonished at her running under 3 minutes per 1 km. This was only her second competitive 3 000 m for the year. 

“I felt really good from the beginning – I am just glad I could run under 9 minutes,” she said in a British Milers Club interview.

She says that her highlight for the year was finishing third in the 1 500 m at the South African track and field championships. Her PB for this item is 4:12.27 and the 1 500 m will always be her favourite, but she will now also be focusing on the 3 000 m.

“My favourite running moment is when I run a personal best. It shows me that I am continuing to improve and a step closer to becoming a world class athlete.”

Danielle is determined to achieve her athletics goals, the biggest of which is to compete at the Olympic Games. At the NWU, she has competed at the University Sports South Africa (USSA) track and field championships in athletics as well as cross-country. She was placed first in both the 1 500 and 5 000 m this year. She says that the NWU taught her a lot and helped her achieve good race times.

“⁠I want to get my degree at the NWU and do something I enjoy that will blend with my running,” she says.

She has been to England, France and Finland for her races this year. She usually goes to Europe in June for the European athletics season. Danielle says that running is not only her passion but also gives her opportunities to travel the world and have a purpose in her life. Her focus is now on the South African cross-country championships in September.

“I look up to all athletes with a winning mentality and who work hard to achieve their dreams. I strive every day to see the positive in every situation and never give up,” she says when asked who inspires her.

Her advice to other young university athletes includes supporting each other and building positive relationships. She explains that the sooner people learn how to maintain a positive attitude towards running and their lives, the closer they can come to achieving their dreams. 

“Never give up, and stay consistent. Nothing is ever easy but it is always worth it in the end,” she says.

Watch Danielle win by a landslide in the women’s 3 000 m race at British Milers Club.

Danielle Verster won the women’s 3 000 m at the British Milers Club championship in Loughborough, England, with a PB of 8:56.87.

Photo credit: Phil Boswell

Danielle Verster was placed first in the 1 500 and 5 000 m at the USSA track and field championships at the University of the Western Cape (UWC).

Photo credit: Divan de Vries