Run Rivah run: meet the youngster sprinting his way into the record books

In preschool Rivah McDonald's teacher would call him "Rivah Run".

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It was a reference to how he was always running around.

Little could they have known how fitting that nickname would turn out to be.

Gunnedah's Rivah McDonald returned home from the NSW PSSA Athletics Championships with three gold medals. Picture Supplied

The Gunnedah South student is one of the fastest young runners in the state.

At the recent NSW PSSA Athletics Championships, Rivah brought home gold in the 10-year-old boys 100 metres, junior boys 200 metres and long jump, and etched his name in the record books.

In winning the 200m he set a record of 26.45 seconds, bettering the 21-year-old mark by three-hundredths of a second.

Remarkably, it wasn't the sprint sensation's first state record.

When he was eight, he broke the record for the 100m, which had stood for 28 years.

Rivah's brilliant championships included a record in the junior boys 200m. Picture WinkiPop Media

The youngster, who would love to be a professional sprinter and as fast as Usain Bolt one day, is collecting records like he is gold medals.

At his school carnival he broke five records, including one which was 46-years-old.

Then at the North West carnival he set three records, and impressively now holds the 100m record at zone level for the 8, 9 and 10-year age groups.

Speaking with the Leader after running 8.2 kilometres for the finale of Gunnedah Health & Fitness Co's (GUFC) participation in Nedd's Uncomfortable Challenge, Rivah said he was happy with the way he performed in Sydney.

His goal for the 200 was to run sub-27 seconds, which he did in both his heat and the final.

In the 100m he stopped the clock at 13.12 seconds, while in the long jump he leapt 4.70 metres.

A well-deserved Krispy Kreme doughnut, or two, afterwards you would say. The original glazed is his favourite.

The 10-year-old was unbeatable in the sprint events. Picture WinkiPop Media

The 200m is his least preferred of the three events.

They're "shorter", was his response on why he liked the 100m and long jump better.

He had gone into the championships with some fire in the belly after missing last year's event because of a mishap just prior. He broke his foot two weeks out.

"So this year he was very determined to work his way back and give it a good go," mum Deneka McDonald said.

For her and husband, Arlon, as proud as they were of Rivah's results, what they were most proud of was his sportsmanship.

Mrs McDonald said they had several officials and parents approach them to congratulate them on the sportsmanship he displayed and the encouragement he gave to his fellow athletes.

Rivah on his way to leaping for gold in the long jump. Picture WinkiPop Media

"We are so incredibly proud of the athlete he is becoming, but even prouder of the person he is," she said.

She can attest that he has always been pretty fast.

"It was always a running joke that I could never keep up with him or catch him," she said.

Known affectionately around GUFC, where he trains with Maryanne Perkins, as Rivman, his success hasn't come without hard work.

He trains four days a week, travelling over to Tamworth when he can to run on the synthetic track, and trained all through the holidays.

Part of the talented athlete program Mrs Perkins runs, it has been great for his development, Mrs McDonald said.

He's always had that natural talent, it just needed some refining.

Rivah with a proud coach Maryanne Perkins. Picture Supplied

"They have a great relationship, coach and athlete," she said.

"His results have just got better and better each carnival."

Mrs Perkins also noted the sportsmanship Rivah displayed, and was also really happy with "his first championships using blocks, his height in long jump, and his ability to back up and be consistent with his times in repeated events" which were things they had been working hard on.

He is now back in training preparing for the School Sport Australia Championships to be held in Melbourne towards the end of November.

Rivah, who is also a handy soccer player and loves going fishing with his dad and helping out on his uncle's farm, will compete in the 100m, 200m and long jump, and has also been selected for the NSW junior boys relay team.

Mrs McDonald thanked the local community and Gunnedah South for all their support.

The school showed the livestream of his events (and the other Gunnedah South students) in the classroom. Some of his schoolmates even stayed back after the bell to watch his 100m final (it was about 3 o'clock).

"We appreciate all the support," she said.

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