'I couldn't have asked for a better club' - Steyn and Seutloali honoured at Hollywood AC Awards

Gerda Steyn and Khoarahlane Seutloali were crowned the Hollywoodbets AC Gauteng's national athletes of the year after an outstanding 2025 that played a key role in the Purple Team dominating three of the country's big four road races. Lesotho national Seutloali dethroned Onalenna Khonkhobe to win both the Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra and Africanbank Soweto Marathon crowns, after finishing behind the Nedbank Running Club athlete in both races in 2024. He also received the moment of the year award.

Steyn ended an exceptional year with a sixth consecutive Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon women's title and a fourth Comrades Marathon crown, capping it off with a hard-fought third place at The People’s Race in November. In addition to being named as The Purple's Team's best female athlete nationally, The Smiling Assassin was also named the club's best Gauteng female athlete, while distance legend Stephen Mokoka, who had just won the Sappi Tuks Road Race earlier that morning, received the men's award. 

Steyn poses with Hollywood AC Chairperson Greg Glossop after being honoured at the club's awards to celebrate star performers during the 2025 season. Photo Credit: Lebohang Pita.

"It was a huge honour to receive the awards today. I was really grateful for having a great 2025 and I'm also grateful for a club that recognises it. It makes me feel like my hard work has brought something good.  I'm very grateful for both the awards today and also proud to represent such a strong team. I'm also happy for the other runners who also received awards. I'm grateful for the foundation that helps us to be strong and to always perform at our best," she told #TheTopRunner.

Steyn was speaking during the club's awards ceremony, which was attended by some of its elite athletes including Neheng Khatala and Irvette van Zyl at the RandPark Golf Club in Randburg, on Valentine’s Day. The Olympian thanked the club’s management for their unwavering supporting since joining the club a year ago, saying she’s fortunate to call The Purple Team home.

After another consistent year where he run under 28:10 for 10km and won a number of local races in AGN, veteran Mokoka was named the club's best athlete in Gauteng. Photo Credit: Lebohang Pita.

"I couldn't have asked for a better club because of the support that I have received in the last 12 months. When I first joined, I heard the other athletes saying the club is very supportive and it's a wonderful environment to be in. I didn't actually realize how supportive they are until I joined the team. They allow me to be myself and allow me to perform without putting negative pressure on me. I want to represent Hollywood in the best possible way."

Others who were honoured include Sibongile Jacobs who was named volunteer of the year, Pule Sithole for being the most consistent athlete of 2025 and Derocious Molekoa Sekgwantsha took the best newcomer award. The club also revealed key milestones that include an increase in membership in both Central and North Gauteng. In AGN, membership has grown from 250 to 356 in the first six weeks of 2026 alone, while in Central Gauteng, the overall membership is over 900, growing from 383 in 2024 and 770 last year.