"I back myself" - Nicola Smith targets first SA title after breakthrough season

This time last year, few outside the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) circles knew the name Nicola Smith. Fast-forward 12 months and the Ekhaya AC middle-distance sensation is emerging as one of the country’s most exciting young talents. The 16-year-old has enjoyed a breakthrough season, dominating the CGA track and field season earlier this year, before claiming silver in the U18 girls’ 3 000m at the national age-group championships at Germiston Stadium.

Smith enjoyed a breakthrough 2026 season, setting personal bests over 1500m (4:32.87) and 3000m (9:54.83). Photo Credit: Lebohang Pita.

Now, with the Athletics South Africa cross-country championships in Pretoria looming on September 5, Smith is aiming to take another major step in her rapidly developing career. The Parktown High School for Girls learner, coached by Michelle Mee, goes into the national championships in red-hot form. She won every CGA cross-country league race she contested before capping the provincial season with gold in the U17 girls’ 4km in 14:28 at the CGA Cross Country Championships on August 15.

Though Smith acknowledged the depth of talent in her age-group, with the likes of Liandri Pretorius of AGN and Boland’s Lara Stander likely to pose a strong challenge, the Central Gauteng athlete knows exactly what she wants when she lines at the nationals at Curro Hazeldean. "Definitely to go for gold. I truly believe I’ve closed that gap and I back myself. You won’t win unless you believe."

Smith has also enjoyed a successful cross country season. Here the 16-year-old is pictured on top of the podium after winning the girls U17 4km race at the provincial championships. Photo Credit: CGA Media.

Her ambitions, however, extend well beyond provincial success, with earning national colours and representing the country globally among her priorities. "I'd definitely love to represent South Africa. That’s always been my dream, to wear the green and gold. I really believe I was close this year. Unfortunately, I just missed my goal, so that really ignites a fire in me that I can do it. I’m so close. I just need to put my head down and work hard. It will happen," she told #TheTopRunner

Smith’s confidence is matched by a clear belief in her ability to compete with the country’s best. At the start of the cross-country season, she set herself the goal of challenging the province’s best runners in her category and gradually work her way towards the top.

Smith poses for a photo with Lisandro Pretorius after the latter beat her to the U18 Girls 3000m national title at the Germiston Stadium in March. Smith took the silver medal. Photo Credit: Lebohang Pita.

“I’ve been watching Audrey Werro closely over the 800m and I’ve seen if you can just consistently be with the top guys, be in the top five, keep pushing, eventually something’s going to snap and you’re going to find yourself on top,” she said, explaining how she has been inspired by the Swiss' tremendous improvement that has seen her go from also-ran to challenging the oldest world record in athletics in just over two seasons.

But her biggest inspiration is Olympic 400m hurdles champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, whom Smith admires for her humility, passion and purposeful approach to athletics. “I really admire the way she carries herself. You can see every stride she takes is with a purpose. I really try to embody that in everything that I do on and off the track.”