 The local track and field community is buzzing with excitement over the outstanding performance of six-year-old, Raelyn Robinson at the recent Virginia Invitational Track Showcase, a USATF sanctioned meet, where Robinson claimed two Silver Medals and one Bronze Medal win in a series of thrilling races.
At just 6 years old, Robinson has already made a mark in the world of junior athletics; having held the title as Bermuda’s fastest 4-year-old and fastest 5-year-old, Robinson jetted to race competitively, internationally, for the first time.
Demonstrating incredible speed and sportsmanship, Robinson quickly became a standout competitor in the Under 6 Division.
Competing in three events (50-meter dash, 100-meter dash and 400-meter race) against some of the most talented junior runners in the U.S., Robinson showcased rocket speed and determination. In the 50-meter dash, Robinson secured a Silver medal with a time of 9.39, narrowly missing out on Gold by 1/100th of a second.
The excitement continued as Robinson brought home a Bronze Medal in the 100-meter dash finals, finishing with a time of 18.32 against tough competition (one of which set a new national record in the U.S. for that age group).
Robinson earned another Silver Medal in the 400-meter race with a strong finish of 1:50.30., further highlighting her versatility and endurance as a young athlete. These achievements are even more impressive considering Robinson's young age, having just turned six years old this month and the level of competition.
Robinson’s parents, Wes and Chez Robinson, expressed immense pride: “We knew Raelyn had a passion for running and sporty-type of activities even as a toddler, but to see her excel at her first international track meet, at this young age, is truly inspiring. She trains diligently, has fun, and always gives her best effort out there.
These medals are a testament to her hard work and excitement for running.”
The Legacy Virginia Invitational provided an excellent platform for young athletes like Robinson to showcase their skills and foster a love for athletics. The event featured approximately 1,000 participants from various U.S. track clubs along the east coast. Many of the U.S. coaches praised Robinson’s performance and were in awe of her natural talent and speed without spikes. She was the only one to make the podium with no spiked running shoes. When asked why she didn’t have spikes, her parents noted that in Bermuda they don’t train 5/6 year olds with spikes. They added, “It’s not something you can just put on your feet the day of the race; Raelyn would have to learn to run in them. Now that we know 6U categories overseas use spikes quite often, Raelyn will definitely have a pair. We’ve already checked the sports stores on island and they don’t carry sizes that small, so we’ll fit them overseas.”
Robinson gushed, “I had fun racing in Virginia and met new friends. Now I just want to get my spikes so I can win the race!”
Robinson embodies the spirit of youth athletics with her enthusiasm and dedication.
Robinson’s parents shared, “We believe it’s important to celebrate the achievements of young athletes and want to highlight the importance of supporting and cultivating young talent, in any discipline. It provides an opportunity for young ones to showcase their skills, gain valuable experiences and foster a well-rounded individual.”
Most track clubs in Bermuda typically don’t take children until they are 7 years old. Robinson has been training with Steve Burgess, at Steve’s Running Academy since January this year.
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