Sixty-one-year-old Masters athlete Venessa Louw, widely known as “Fit Vee”, has capped a phenomenal return to the track by breaking the South African 100 m masters’ record for her age group, proving that age is merely a number when chasing sporting excellence.
The Gordon’s Bay resident, who earned her national colours for sprinting at the masters nationals in Green Point in May 2023, has turned a season of injury and near-misses into record-breaking success.
The 2024 season was marked by frustration for Louw, who was forced off the track with an Achilles injury due to overtraining. But her return this year has been explosive.
Louw is now competing in the 60-and-over age group. Earlier this year, she ran a blistering 14,5 seconds in the 100 m at Green Point, narrowly missing the standing record of 14,8 seconds due to adverse conditions and a hand-timed measurement.
But her persistence paid off spectacularly at the masters athletics meet at Coetzenberg Stadium in Stellenbosch on Saturday 13 September. Running an official time of 14,41 seconds in the 100 m, Louw officiallyset a South African masters record for her age group.
“I was disappointed that I didn’t get the record initially, but I was motivated,” Louw said. “Now I want to break my own record – that’s the next goal.”
Louw’s dominant form this year was acknowledged with significant accolades: she was awarded Best Masters Athlete, Female Track Athlete of the Year 2025, and the Elite Athlete Award for Western Province Athletics earlier this year.
Beyond her own achievements, “Fit Vee” is pouring her expertise back into the sport, training a dedicated group of masters ladies who have already found success.
These include Anthea Poole (63), who won gold in the 400 m at the beginning of the season, along with 55-year-old Sharlene Germishuizen (400 m – gold) and 54-year-old Dolene Ackerman (5 km walk – gold). Louw and her team are set to again compete at Coetzenberg Stadium this Saturday (18 October).
Asked what her advice would be to others seeking a fit and healthy lifestyle in their senior years, Louw said: “It’s never too late to get fit, get in shape and look after your health. You need to crawl before you walk, walk before you jog, and jog before you run. It’s hard work, consistency and a lot of self-discipline. And your goal has to be to enjoy it, don’t seek the accolades.”
Louw also offers pilates and strength training for women. Those interested in the training can contact her on 084 441 0648 or fitvenessa@gmail.com.
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