Coezter upbeat about 2025 after year of firsts
“I will start running half-marathons again. I’m looking forward to the Totalsports Two Oceans Half-Marathon."

Boksburg athlete Samantha Coetzer has packed her 2025 with more ambitions after a glorious running year where her achievements were beyond her wildest dreams.
Coetzer stunned even herself as she excelled in her first track and field season but it was in cross-country where she showed her mettle with incredible performances during the provincial season, which saw her earn her CGA colours to represent the organisation at the ASA cross-country championships.
On the road, she broke the 40-minute barrier in the 10km, which was her ultimate goal at the start of 2024. She also clinched podium positions at various events, including the Red Star Marathon on Track where she finished the women’s 10km second in 39:20.
She also ran in her first SA 10km championships.
Rewinding back to her 2024, the Nedbank Running Club athlete said it was a year of firsts and will forever be etched in her memory for unleashing her potential and putting her in the spotlight.
She cited her debut CGA senior track and field championships at the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Auckland Park Stadium, where she clocked a stunning 18:31.06 for a bronze medal in the women’s 5 000m, as the highlight of her year.
Also Read: Coetzer elated with her performance at nationals
“It was my first track and cross-country season. My highlight was setting foot for the first time on the UJ track during the CGA championships. It was the most iconic track to race on and to top it all, I placed third in the 5 000m,” she said.
First national
While she was at home on the iconic red UJ tartan track, nothing could have prepared her for the rough terrain of the cross-country courses at various venues around the province during the CGA season.
Although it wasn’t all roses, she persevered throughout the league phase and finished the senior women’s 4km race second at the provincial champs in Kagiso, qualifying for her first national championships.
At Izak Steyl Stadium in Vanderbijl Park during the nationals, she found the going tough but ran a brilliant race in the senior women’s 4km, clocking a 14:36 season’s best for eighth, which helped CGA clinch the team gold after four of her teammates, including herself, finished in the top 10.
“I learnt that I shouldn’t compare my journey with anyone’s. Every athlete has their own goals to achieve. You will not always be at your strongest at all your races and that’s fine.”
Looking ahead, her schedule is already packed and is excited to see what she can achieve.
“I will start running half-marathons again. I’m looking forward to the Totalsports Two Oceans Half-Marathon. I will compete in the track and cross-country seasons and hopefully go to the nationals again. I will look at smashing my PBs in the 10km and 5km and hopefully start running marathons towards the end of the year.”
Also Read: Boksburg’s Coetzer eyes first cross-country nationals