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Coetzer elated with her performance at nationals

She finished eighth in the senior women's 4km in a time of 14:36.

Samantha Coetzer would be forgiven for shouting in excitement after a top-10 finish and helping Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) to a team gold in her category in her first SA cross-country championships on September 7.

The Boksburg resident clocked a 14:36 season’s best to finish eighth in the senior women’s 4km race after Karabo Mailula from Athletic North Gauteng (AGN) tore through the two-lap course in 13:12 to win the national title, leading an AGN top three after Carina Swiegers (13:46) secured the silver and Lizandre Mulder (13:47) rounded up the podium.

This was one of the most difficult races Coetzer has run. She went to the event to gain experience and never anticipated she would clock a personal milestone or finish anywhere near the top 10.

Samantha Coetzer follows her CGA teammate Zanele Monica Maisa to the finish. Photo: Tumelo Mabua.

“The race was incredibly tough, fast and ‘lekker’. I never thought it would be tough to run fast on sand and the crowd cheering us on was awesome,” she said.

Also Read: Boksburg’s Coetzer eyes first cross-country nationals

The cherry on top for the Nedbank RC athlete was securing CGA a team gold in the event with her teammates Jannah Sethowa (14:18), Sisanda Dumisa (14:20) and Zanele Monica Maisa (14:35), who finished fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively.

“I am happy with my performance. But I did not think I would be placed in the top 10, as there were talented and amazing athletes. The best part is that as team CGA, we received a gold medal.”

This was a valuable experience for Coetzer and I would go back to the drawing board highly motivated to prepare for the next season.

Samantha Coetzer (right) with Marco Joseph from Nedbank RC and Tristan Torr.

“My experience was so much better than what I had expected. When I saw all the athletes in their provincial colours, I knew it was for real.

“The adrenaline rush, mixed with some nervousness that I got while I walked to the start with my CGA teammates, was intense. I felt I had achieved something. I am motivated to race again in the SA champs next year,” Coetzer said.

Also Read: Sangweni and Van Jaarsveld on top at Cross The Line

   

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