'It would be heartbreaking if it doesn't happen' - van Zyl on Soweto Marathon as she bounces back from Comrades gold with faster running

Irvette van Zyl says it would be heartbreaking if the 2025 edition of the Soweto Marathon did not take place. Currently there is uncertainty whether The People's Race will take place due to the endless infighting between two rival factions both of whom lay claim to the ownership of South Africa's most iconic township marathon. The Soweto Marathon Trust (SMT) who adamant that the race cannot happen unless it's organised by them and the Soweto Marathon (Pty) Ltd which organised the 2023 and 2024 editions of the race, are involved in a bitter war over who has the legal right to organize the race. Van Zyl who has won the Soweto Marathon four times says it would be tragic if the race does not take place.

"It did happen before and managed to come back again. It would be heartbreaking if it doesn't happen. It looks like they are getting stuff right but I don't know the whole

story about it (on the news)," says van Zyl referring to when similar internal battles led to the cancellation of the 2013 race.

van Zyl leading the 2023 Soweto Marathon which she won in 2:34:16 to claim her fourth consecutive victory at The People's Race. Photo Credit: Supplied.

The 38-year-old, who missed the 2024 edition of the race which first took place in 1991 due to injury, says she is hopeful the race will take place as she is targeting her fifth consecutive Soweto Marathon title. "It's not looking good. I am making different plans but if Soweto happens, I will definitely be there. Unfortunately last year I had to miss it and I had to talk on the TV and not run. That was really hard. If Soweto happens, I will be gunning for it but for now I am focusing on getting my speed back," she says.

After earning a gold medal on her Comrades Marathon debut in June, van Zyl is shifting her focus to shorter distances as she works on regaining her 10km speed in the second half of 2025. The four-time Olympian has confirmed her entry for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K on 24 August, which forms part of her build-up towards a standard marathon later this year. Van Zyl, who impressively finished fourth at The Ultimate Human Race on 8 June, says she is feeling better than expected as she transitions back to faster-paced racing.

"The body was lekker eina after Comrades," laughs Van Zyl. "It took four days to start walking normal again and then I only started running again after ten days of full rest. The first two weeks back was slow and my body just felt so fragile. But after that every week went better and better. I have had a good four weeks of introducing speed again and every session has been going better. I'm very pleased with where I am right now mentally and physically."

Irvette van Zyl in action during the 2023 Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K. She will make her Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K debut on 24 August. Photo Credit: Action Photo.

The Hollywood Athletics Club ace demonstrated just how well her training has been going with an encouraging 34:42 to claim ninth position at the SPAR Women's 10km Challenge at SuperSport Park in Pretoria on Saturday 2 August. That performance in addition to the excitement of running her very first Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES race in her hometown, has left the 38-year-old bullish about the prospect of ending up on the podium on a hilly course which favours her strengths.

"I'm really excited to do this year's Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K because last year I tore my hamstring post Olympics and I really wanted do the race," she says. "I was entered but I had to make the call two days before not to run. But my husband LJ (Van Zyl) ran and he made me so jealous on the day because he had an amazing time on the roads. Being out there last year to see all the ladies run such good races motivated me. I'm really looking forward to being part of it this year and hopefully I can sneak in a top three position."