Steyn to run in Durban 10k

“I just want to run fast and run faster than in Durban in 2019.” The words of the Queen of South African Road Running, Gerda Steyn, as she prepares for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K on 10 July.

Steyn is a popular athlete both in South Africa and abroad, receiving several invitations to some of the biggest races in the World.

“It is a great honor to have Gerda (Steyn) choose to race in Durban at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K on 10 July,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Founder of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series.

“Gerda is one of SA’s most popular runners and does get invited to many of the worlds bigger, high-profile races, so for her to choose to race in the Series is a great honor and shows just how important the Series is to both international and South African athletes alike. We are both excited and proud to welcome Gerda to the start line ready to #RunForDurban.”

It was Steyn who eventually broke the SA Marathon Record of 2:26.35 of Colleen de Reuck that had stood since 1996. Steyn achieved the feat when she ran 2:25.28 in April 2021 at the Sienna Marathon in Italy and with that cemented her position in the South Africa Squad to compete at the Olympic Marathon in which she finished 15th.

Steyn has also run the fastest marathon on South African soil, clocking 2:26.25 in Cape Town in 2021.

Of course, she is also known as the Queen of the Ultra’s holding both the record for the Up Run of the Comrades Marathon, becoming the only female athlete to break six hours, and the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon.

Steyn in 2022 broke the 33-year-old course record set by the legendary Frith van der Merwe. But as much as she is lauded for her Marathon and Ultra performances, Steyn is also a fierce competitor over the shorter distances.

In 2020, Steyn ran 15:45 for 5km to become the 4th fastest South African over the distance. Only Elana Meyer, Colleen de Reuck and Dominique Scott-Efurd have gone faster.

Her 32:24 for 10km is the 7th fastest time in South Africa. So, while she is well known for the longer distances, do not write her off over the shorter distances. In 2019 at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K, Steyn clocked 33:22.

Earlier this year in Manchester, she was 10th at the Great Manchester Run, clocking 33:42. Steyn has her sights set on bettering her time in Durban of 33:22 and looks at going sub-33.

"I know the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K is a fast course and that the best women in South Africa and some top internationals will be running, so I will need to be at my best if I want to be competitive in Durban.”