Ultra-marathon legend Gerda Steyn plans to return to her roots on October 25th to test her speed against top athletes in the first Absa Run Your City Mangaung 10k race.
Steyn, known as the 'Smiling Killer,' usually keeps her race schedule private outside of the Comrades and Two Oceans marathons. Therefore, her return to her hometown to participate in the 10-kilometer race has been a pleasant surprise for fans.
Steyn officially confirmed her participation in the debut Absa Run Your City Mangaung race on October 25th. Although she is the undisputed queen of ultra-marathons in South Africa, holding seven Two Oceans Marathon titles and five wins in the Comrades Marathon, it is her exceptional speed over distances from 10 to 90 kilometers that has secured her dominance.
Even though Steyn is unlikely to compete for the title in Mangaung, her presence at the starting line adds significant star appeal to the event.
Steyn shared her feelings, noting that the Free State is where she grew up and studied. She called participating in the first Absa Run Your City Mangaung 10K a full circle moment, especially since she has never previously competed in races in the Free State or Northern Cape.
She added that she is confident in knowing every turn of the route. Participating in the 10k race also allows her to meet a new side of the running community, encountering people she doesn't usually cross paths with at marathons and ultra-marathons, which she considers a very valuable opportunity.
This year, Steyn won again in the Two Oceans and Comrades marathons. After a short recovery period, she tested her endurance on the trails of the famous Jungfrau Marathon in Switzerland on September 6th.
Returning to road races, Steyn explained that switching to the 10k distance in Mangaung gives her an ideal change of pace. She noted that reducing the distance from ultra- and marathon races to 10k brings huge benefits. After strong performances at the Totalsports Two Oceans and Comrades Marathons this year, she took time to recover and has now returned to the road to build speed.
Steyn emphasized that preparing for and participating in a 10k race is fundamentally different from long distances because there is no room for error. One must be ready for maximum effort from the start, which requires her to remain composed and focus on speed training. She expressed hope for a strong performance at the Absa Run Your City Mangaung 10K on October 25th, anticipating the energy of the crowd and strong competition. Her main goal is simply to show her best result on race day.