Gerda Steyn not putting pressure on herself to chase national marathon record

Steyn has confirmed her participation in the highly anticipated Cape Town Marathon on 17 October, the last edition of the race before it officially moves to May next year. 

In 2024, Xaba broke both the course and Steyn’s national record in Cape Town, but with Xaba opting not to defend her title this year, Steyn heads into the event as the favourite to win and possibly break the record again. 

Despite that, Steyn insists she won’t burden herself with the expectation of chasing the record.

"I think it will depend on the preparations that I do going to the race and also the preparation that's left now. I know when Glenrose broke the record last year, she ran about a minute and a half faster than I ran on an easier race, I'll admit, on an easier course in Valencia,” Steyn said.

“So, it's a massive leap for me to now look at, not what the record is but to look at what I've done in the past and to try and better that. The national record I can't say it's at the forefront of my mind going into the Cape Town Marathon, it's more of trying to better myself. 

“I've run the Cape Town Marathon before so for me my first target would be to try and better my time that I ran on the Cape Town Marathon route, regardless of what the national marathon record is and what other times are or what other runners are running."

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With Xaba absent from this year’s marathon, she has sent a good luck message to Steyn, encouraging her to keep the title in South Africa. 

Steyn told SABC Sport that she was proud when she saw Xaba break her record and win R250 000 last year and is humbled by her support.

"That is kind of Glenrose and it gives a glimpse into her champion mindset. When she ran the Cape Town Marathon last year I was glued to my TV watching her race in what was very difficult conditions, she went through halfway and it didn't look like the record was close in her hands just yet but the second half, she opened up and she absolutely ran the most amazing race,” Steyn added. 

“I had goosebumps watching her cross the finish line, not only in a new South African record but also in first place which was amazing for South Africa but also for the Cape Town marathon."