'I am committed to delivering my best performance' - Steyn hints at new course record on Soweto Marathon debut

With its rich history, the Africanbank Soweto Marathon is an event that many runners aim to participate in. Taking place in South Africa’s largest and most popular township along a route that runs past some iconic landmarks including Vilakazi Street, which is the only street in the world to have been home to two Nobel Peace Prize laureates, Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Soweto Marathon has become a bucket list race for thousands. One of those is multiple Comrades and Two Oceans Marathon Champion Gerda Steyn who will run The People's Race for the first time on Saturday, November 29.

"The Soweto marathon has a wealth of history," she told #TheTopRunner after confirming her intention to run the 42km race on social media two weeks ago. "It is one-of-a-kind and a cherished event, particularly in the Gauteng running community. The route is formidable, but from what I have learned, the support is exceptional and I am looking forward to finally experiencing it," explains the Hollywood Athletics Club top runner. 

After victories at the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon and the Comrades Marathon this year, Steyn is looking to end the year by winning the Soweto Marathon on debut. Photo Credit: Two Oceans Media.

The 35-year-old revealed that following last month's cancellation of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon due to safety reasons, she had various options, including running the New York Marathon. But Steyn opted against it, saying it was time to participate in a year-end marathon on home soil, especially after the Soweto Marathon was moved from its traditional first Sunday in November to the end of the month.

"Yes, following the disappointment in Cape Town, I was faced with the task of reassessing my strategy for the rest of the year - from participating in the New York marathon two weeks after SCTM, to focusing on shorter distance races. However, one event continued to hold my attention, and I realized that the date change of the Soweto marathon would provide an opportunity to refocus, structure my training to meet the course's specific needs, and compete on home turf."

Part of Steyn's build-up to running the 30th edition of the Africanbank Soweto on 29 November was competing in the Joburg leg of the SPAR Grand Prix in early October. Photo Credit: Reg Caldecott.

"For some time now, I have been eager to participate in the Soweto marathon, an iconic South African event that I have been eyeing for several years. Running a marathon in South Africa has been another goal of mine since the beginning of the year, as I typically conclude the year with an international marathon. The opportunity to run on home soil is highly meaningful to me, and I was keen to have this experience this year over the standard 42.2km marathon distance," she shared. 

Steyn has set her sights on winning the race on debut. Additionally, she acknowledges that the competitive field, featuring four-time champion Irvette Van Zyl and Comrades Marathon gold medalist Nobuhle Tshuma, may result in Van Zyl's course record of 2:33:43 established in the 2018 edition of the race being eclipsed.

"I am committed to delivering my best performance, especially in prominent events of this caliber. Having invested months in intensive marathon training, I am driven to make my supporters proud, and a victory on race day would be a significant achievement. The presence of a competitive field may lead to faster running times, potentially resulting in a course record, but winning remains my primary objective. As the outcome is unpredictable, it is set to be a thrilling day for athletes and spectators alike," she concluded.