SPORT NEWS - Local runner Lloyd Bosman achieved the two goals he had set himself for this year's half-marathon part of the Knysna Forest Marathon, run on Saturday 22 June.
Firstly, he retained the title he won last year, and secondly, he broke the winning time he set in 2023 - by nearly 2 minutes.
Bosman, from George, a contracted runner with the Nedbank Running Club, said he was "feeling good" about winning the 21.1km race again.
"I took the lead after 10 kilometres - and over the last two kilometres, I really started to make a gap."
On breaking his time of 1hr 6mins set last year, he said "If it wasn't for my opponents I wouldn't have had that time, so thanks to them as well".
His time on Saturday was 1:04:17.9.
He said he and his training partners in George, Francois Maquassa and Selwyn Matthews, also of the Nedbank Running Club, had been running together until the 10km point of the race. "I got some stiff competition from the other Nedbank guys."
Maquassa finished third in the half-marathon, in a time of 1:05:01.5, and Matthews fourth in 1:06:03.3.
In second place was Keanu Domingo, of the Potch Track Club, whose time was 1:04:44.1, and in fifth place was Jason Vermeulen of Wits University's Varsity Kudus club, in a time of 1:10:46.3.
Bosman, Maquassa and Matthews have little time to rest after the gruelling race, as they are taking part in the Houtkapper Trail Run, which includes 27km, 15km and 9km runs, in Rheenendal on Sunday 23 June.
Bosman is taking part in the 27km event, Maquassa the 15km one, and Matthews the 9km one.
In the women's 21.1km part of the Knysna Forest Marathon on Saturday, first was Leigh Callaghan (Achilles Amateur, 1:24:58.9), second Nina Mosehuus (1:26:29.5), third Cameron Mostert (Maties Stellenbosch, 1:27:40.1), fourth Carine Swiegers (Boxer Superstores, 1:28:56.7), and fifth Chelsey Cooke (Madibaz, 1:29:44.1).
The winner of the men's 42.2km marathon, which together with the 21.1km race form part of the Knysna Oyster Festival, was John April of Nedbank Running in a time of 2:38:49.
Second was Philasande Buthelezi (Temp, 2:45:15), third Neil Broers (Atlantic AC, 2:49:41), fourth Kallie Burger (Nedbank Running, 2:52:10), and fifth Sivuyile Qole (Plettenberg Bay AC, 2:58:48.9).
The winner of the women's 42.2km race was Marizaan Vermeulen of Run Zone AC in a time of 3:16:30.
Second was Christelle Hattingh (Multi-Sport Maniacs, 3:16:38), third Leah Maidment (Temp, 3:16:48), fourth Daneil Feldmann (Temp, 3:25:18.3) and fifth was Patricia Gouws (K-Way Jeppe, 3:26:38.3).
The organiser of the Knysna Forest Marathon, Baily Neill, said the event "went very well, everyone was happy. It wasn't too cold in the forest, which was good".
"Every year we do it, it gets bigger and better."
About 5 500 runners had completed the 21.1km race, and about 600 the 42.2km one.
More runners aged between 18 and 35 had registered for the event, and this year that group comprised 15% of entrants.
"It's encouraging to see so many young people getting into the sport."
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