Coetzer slogs through tough course to clinch silver at champs

She was second in the senior women's 10km race.

14 minutes ago

Lebohang Pita 2 minutes read

Samantha Coetzer dug deep to claim silver in the senior women’s 10km at the CGA cross-country championships in Germiston on August 15, capping a difficult season with one of her most satisfying performances.

She covered five gruelling laps of the 2km Germiston Soccer Club course in 38:19, finishing behind champion Cacisile Sosibo, who won in a dominant 35:51. Benoni resident Casey Bosman completed the top three in 39:51.

Samantha Coetzer clocked a sub-39 in the senior women’s 10km. Photo: Lebohang Pita

Despite entering the race at the end of a demanding training week, Coetzer refused to use fatigue as an excuse and maintained her composure throughout the race.

“I approached it knowing I was still going to race hard and give my best, even though I had a hard week,” she said.

The challenging course and strong field tested the Central Gauteng athlete, but she maintained a consistent tempo as the race unfolded.

Also Read: Nationals comeback one Coetzer will never forget

Coetzer was pleased with her performance, particularly considering she had not tapered for the championships.

“If I had to taper, it would have been a much better performance, but it is actually what I was expecting,” she said. “At least it’s a sub-38, not a sub-40, so I’m quite satisfied.”

Samantha Coetzer was second in the senior women’s 10km. Photo: Lebohang Pita

The silver medal was another positive step in what has been a challenging comeback season for the Bardene resident.
After recovering from an injury earlier in the year, she only gradually resumed running in February before beginning serious training in March. She later returned to competition and secured a podium finish at the national half-marathon championships.

“I am satisfied with the fact that we only started in March and actually trained seriously from March,” she said.

Samantha Coetzer (right) runs alongside Cacisile Sosibo (centre) and Kebogile Motshabi in the senior women’s 10km. Photo: Lebohang Pita

With the provincial championships now behind her, Coetzer’s focus shifts towards the national cross-country championships in Pretoria.

The athlete, who enjoys cross-country, intends to increase her training load as she prepares for the national event and believes she will be stronger than she was at last year’s championships in Middelburg.

“I will prepare hard for the cross-country because I really like the sport,” she said. “I will run my best, do my best and give everything.”

Also Read: Resilient Coetzer wins CGA half-marathon champs