Samantha Coetzer’s distinctive running style caught the eye at Curro Hazeldean. Still, it was her fourth-place finish in the senior women’s 10km at the ASA Cross Country Championships on September 5 that really demanded attention.

Running with her hands held high and tight near her shoulders, combined with a normal reaching stride, the Bardene distance runner left a few fans intrigued as she kept pace with the blistering tempo set by race leaders Cacisile Sosibo and Nicola Jansen.

In the absence of defending champion Glenrose Xaba and last year’s runner-up Karabo Mailula, Sosibo was the overwhelming favourite and lived up to the billing by taking control early.

Jansen, however, refused to let Sosibo dictate the race, staying on the Central Gauteng runner’s shoulder through the first two laps.

When she sensed Sosibo slowing in the third lap, Jansen seized the opportunity and never looked back. The race was effectively decided when the Athletics Gauteng North (AGN) runner passed the 8km mark with a sizeable lead over Sosibo and third-placed Lizendrè Mulder of Athletics Free State (AFS).

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As the field spread out under the searing pace, Coetzer consolidated fourth place, with her Central Gauteng teammate Maria Shai some distance behind in fifth.

Jansen claimed her first national title in 35:51.01, with Sosibo taking silver in 36:24.55. Mulder completed the podium in 36:47.47, while Coetzer finished fourth in 38:26.56, improving on her 10th-place finish at last year’s championships in Middelburg.

“I would have really liked a podium finish. But we were already so spread out. It was challenging because the course had some obstacles compared to what we had during the CGA league races. But I enjoyed it,” Coetzer said.

“My teammates and friends who cheered me on throughout the race kept me pushing to hold onto fourth place.”

With her sights already set on the 2027 cross country season, Coetzer was pleased with her overall performance and delighted to have helped CGA secure team gold alongside Sosibo, Shai and Benoni’s Casey Bosman, who finished seventh.

“Compared to the terrible 10th-place finish from last year, I’m really happy. It also got me excited for next year’s season as I will be training extremely hard for a podium finish.

“We are fire! Our CGA team is really strong and we always stand together. Earning a gold medal proves that. I am beyond proud of the way we worked together as a team,” she said.

Also Read: Coetzer slogs through tough course to clinch silver at champs