Gerda Steyn confirms homecoming Absa Mangaung 10km entry

The race will start at 7am from the Sir George Grey Street exit of Grey College in the City of Roses. 

Steyn, who has competed around the world, including at the Olympic Games, says racing in the Free State will be special.

The Comrades and Two Oceans champion is looking forward to running alongside local athletes and giving back to the community where her running journey began.

"Until now, I've never actually raced in the Free State or in the Northern Cape so it would be an amazing experience for me to meet some new faces. Every year I get a tremendous amount of support from those provinces. To finally line up in a race near home territory is something that I'm very excited about."

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Steyn grew up and studied in the Free State before her running career took her around the world. 

The 36-year-old says the province will always have a special place in her heart, and she is hoping to feel the support of the local community on race day.

The former Om die Dam ultra-marathon champion, who holds records at both the Comrades and Two Oceans Marathon, says racing over shorter distances is an important part of her preparation for ultra-marathons.

Steyn has a 10km personal best of 32:24, set in 2020. 

She says competing against strong fields over shorter distances continues to give her valuable experience, even though it is not her main event.

Known as the “Smiling Assassin”, Steyn has enjoyed another outstanding year. 

She dominated the Two Oceans and Comrades Marathons in the colours of Hollywood Athletics Club and also used her break from ultra-running to experiment with different aspects of her training and racing.