ROAD RUNNING
Making Waves at Oceans
Lloyd Bosman striding out in the 2024 Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon
After a hugely successful 2024 running year , Lloyd Bosman is looking to step it up in 2025 , both in terms of podium positions and racing distance – and while he may be coming into his best form relatively late in his career , he is being backed to achieve his running goals , at Two Oceans and other big races , by no less than an Olympic marathoner and former SA Record-holder ! – BY TATHE MSIMANGO
If you have followed the road running scene in the Western Cape in 2024 , then you will undoubtedly have heard the name Lloyd Bosman mentioned a number of times . That ’ s because the 36-year-old Nedbank athlete from the South Western Districts has been in the spotlight throughout the year , enjoying probably his best season to date , with a number of high-profile race wins to his name , but his most notable performance came in the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon in April .
Two Oceans the year before , and he had won the Balwin Sport Peninsula Marathon in February , Bosman had not been considered a favourite for the race win at Two Oceans , but he was , striding out and looking really strong , passing 50km in 2:51:50 with a 12-second lead . However , Onalenna Khonkhobe was chasing hard and soon took the lead , but Bosman kept fighting , and it was only on the infamous Chet ’ s Hill that Khonkhobe finally broke the Bosman challenge , going on to win 3:09:30 to Bosman ’ s 3:09:58 . was unexpected , he went into the race believing that he could do something special on the day . He also says he had unfinished business with the 56km ultra , and that gave him extra motivation . “ I think with Two Oceans , I kind of knew that I stood a chance to do well . Last year , I had a good race from the beginning , but I went too fast , too early , which resulted in me having cramps in the later stages of the race ,” he says , reflecting on what transpired in his 2023 Two Oceans debut .
Having crested Constantia Nek at 46km with the leading group , Bosman then took the lead just before the 49km mark . Although he had finished 12th in the
In the months since Two Oceans , Bosman has had time to reflect on his runner-up performance , and he says that while some may think his performance
“ This year , I knew exactly what to do , and on top of that , I had a good structure when preparing for the race . I also knew that I ’ m stronger on the hills compared to most guys in the race , and that was a huge advantage that I managed to use quite well . As the race approached the later stages , I told Onalenna that it was time to move away from the leading batch of athletes , and when we made a move , they failed to respond . In the end , it turned out to be a special day for me , because I love the race so much , and think I understand it very well ,” he adds .
Leading the Two Oceans Ultra in 2024
Taking the title at the 2024 OUTsurance Gun Run Half Marathon
Images : Courtesy Two Oceans Marathon , Lloyd Bosman
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