Judging by her results so far this year it would seem as if Charné Bosman (Nedbank RC) has developed a particular affinity to being the first to race across a finish line.

From February to March she won five races on the trot. It started with her winning the Bestmed/Tuks Marathon. The following weekend she won the Deloitte Marathon, and then she was victorious in the Sunrise Monster 32km, followed by victories in the Bobbies 21km as well the Om die Dam 21km. These performances prove that life seems only to start after 40.

On Saturday the former Comrades champion who trains at Tuks/HPC is competing in the Old Mutual Two Oceans ultra-race. In spite of finishing second in fifth in past races, she downplays her chances to win emphasising that as far as she is concerned, it is just going to be a hard training run. But Bosman hinted that if in the final few kilometres a race victory is on the offering, she will go for it.

However, years of racing made the 42-year old realise that any talks on the possible outcome for any ultra-race remain purely speculative as there are never any guarantees as to what will happen on the day on the road. 

“The biggest mistake to make will be to start off at a too fast pace. So don’t count me out if I am not among the front-runners at Chapman’s Peak. The real race only starts at Constantia Nek. It is a tough climb with a gradient of about 12% compared to the 6% gradient of Chapmans Peak. Therefore, it is important to start the Constantia climb with relatively fresh legs. In 2013 when I finished second in the Two Oceans, I made up nearly three minutes on the frontrunners on the climb.”

As to being considered as one of the stalwarts of South African ultra-racing Bosman said: “I can honestly say I don’t feel as if I am 42 years old. The positive thing about ageing is that you also become wiser, which is good when it comes to the longer races.”

Bosman is of the opinion that the battle for supremacy in the women’s race is going to be a real war on the road as there is no clear-cut favourite. 

“I expect Jenna Challenor and Tanith Maxwell who were respectively second and third last year to be again in contention for a podium finish.  Then I understand that Alexandra Morozova (Russia) who was second in last year's Comrades is racing. That will undoubtedly make things even more interesting. 

"Don't discount Gerda Steyn who was fourth in the Comrades. Many predict that Gerda has what it takes to become a top ultra-racer. 

I understand that Alexandra Morozova (Russia is racing as is Gerda Steyn who was fourth. Many predict that Gerda has what it takes to become a top ultra-racer. I expect Jenna Challenor who was second last year to be again in contention for a podium finish.

“It would be interesting to see what Lindsey Scherf (USA) is capable off. She set a new world indoor marathon record recently running 2:40:55.”