'I was trying to break the course record' - Bosman ends great year with 62 minute victory at Outsurance Gun Run

Celebrating its 30th edition, more than 20 000 runners participated in the 2024 Outsurance Gun Run in Cape Town, which featured a 5km, a 10km and the signature half marathon events. In the 21km race, Nedbank Running Club top Runner Lloyd Bosman produced a scintillating performance of 1:02:55 to breast the tape first. He was followed home by prominent KZN athlete Adam Lipschitz in 1:03:29, while Tymebank Langa athlete Edward Jack rounded out the podium in 1:04:30.

Bosman's time was just 24 seconds shy of the course record set by Joel Mmone of 1:02:31 back in 2015. The 36-year-old who hails from the small Southern Cape town of Pacaltsdorp, which is also the hometown of Olympian and training partner Elroy Gelant, says he is delighted with the victory even though he didn't manage to better the course record. 

Bosman came just 24 seconds shy of equalling the course record. Photo Credit: Outsurance Gun Run.

"I'm very happy with the performance. I led from the start which was all part of my race plan. Then when I approached the half way mark, I saw that the pace had slowed a bit because we weren't pushing as hard as we could. I had been trying to get close to the course record which belongs to my club mate Joel Mmone. In the end, I didn't get it as I came within seconds of beating it. Overall though, I'm happy to win the race as I was running it for the first time," he said.

Things have been falling into place for Bosman this season. In April, he surprised a star-studded field including 2:06 marathoner Stephen Mokoka when he clocked an impressive 3:09:50 to finish as the runner-up at the Totalsports Two Oceans 56km Ultra Marathon. That top class performance was followed with a 28:56 personal best over 10km during Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K in July. His plan is to rest and start to prepare for next year's World's Most Beautiful Ultra Marathon. 

Kavanagh continued her return from injury with an impressive victory. Photo Credit: Outsurance Gun Run.

"It has been a long season for me. But I'm happy with the progress I have made. I'm not too sure if I'll run Cape Town Marathon (scheduled for 20th October). I'll discuss the way forward with club's manager (Nick Bester) regarding that one. If he feels, I'm supposed to go then I will run. On my side, I'll rest then start Two Oceans preparations."

In the women's race, Tayla Kavanagh continued her return from injury with her most impressive run of the year. The Hollywood Athletic Club top runner beat the field to win in 1:13:03 with Olympic triathlete Vicky Van der Merwe taking second position more than two minutes adrift in 1:15:42. Olympian marathoner Cian Oldknow took the third spot 1:06:03.