Casey Bosman’s patient approach to the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) cross-country league season appears to be paying off after the Benoni runner stormed to victory in the senior women’s 4km race at the final league meeting in Tsakane on August 1.

Representing the University of Johannesburg (UJ), Bosman produced her most aggressive performance of the season, breaking away from the field to send a strong warning ahead of the CGA Cross Country Championships in Germiston on August 15.

She completed two laps of the course around Tsakane Softball Stadium and the Faranani Multipurpose Centre in a season’s best 15:59, finishing 30 seconds ahead of UJ teammate Paballo Radebe. Kgopotso Shokane completed a clean sweep of the podium for UJ in 16:33.

A two-time South African representative and holder of seven national titles across cross country, duathlon and road running, Bosman deliberately eased into the season as part of a carefully planned build-up.

She opened with a time of 20:20 in Alexandra before improving to 19:09 in Kagiso and 18:42 at KwaThema Stadium, setting the stage for her dominant display in Tsakane.

“It’s actually the first time I’ve approached a season this way because I’ve changed coaches,” said Bosman.

“I’ve been saving myself a little more towards the end for the CGA and national championships. Today was my first hard race and it gave me a nice confidence boost. I’ve just been enjoying the other league races and getting them ticked off.”

The Benoni High School alumna believes the steady progression has laid the ideal foundation for the tougher races ahead. While she contested the shorter 4km distance during the league campaign, her focus now shifts to the 10km at the provincial championships.

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“That’s the goal,” she said of a podium finish.

“But more importantly, I want to have a mentally good 10km race. I want to be there in mind and body and leave everything out on the course. That’s the main goal.”

Now coached by respected mentor George Bradley, who also works with hurdler Tumi Ramokgopa and distance runner Cian Gerber (nèe Oldknwo), Bosman believes the coaching change has revitalised her career.

“My approach this season is completely different because I have a new coach. It’s been a refreshing start and I think that change was needed.

“We’ve been working hard to cover all the bases and patch up the holes. That work has given me confidence mentally, and that’s carried me through because distance running is as much a mind game as it is physical.”

The 25-year-old biokineticist also praised the depth of women’s distance running in Central Gauteng, believing the province has the quality to challenge long-time rivals Athletics Gauteng North at next month’s ASA Cross Country Championships.

“Our women are strong,” she said.

“You see it at CGA races where we dominate a lot. AGN and CGA are always fighting for those podium places. I’d much rather race with strong competition than win easily because that’s what pushes you to improve. Seeing these women race hard every week is motivating and gives you something to strive for.”

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