Irvette van Zyl excited for first ever Comrades Up-Run challenge

The 85km race, which marks the 99th edition of the Ultimate Human Race, will see thousands of runners take on one of the toughest challenges in road running.

van Zyl made an impressive Comrades debut last year, finishing fourth in the Down Run. 

Although she had originally planned to make her first appearance in the race during an Up-Run year, curiosity got the better of her and she decided to compete in 2025. The four-time Olympian believes the Up-Run could suit her strengths even better.

"Last year I jumped the gun because I really wanted to run that race, but last year was such a bad experience. Hopefully this year will be better and I'll enjoy it a bit more. Hopefully I'll be strong on the hills - it's always been my preference to have uphills, although I've never ran uphills like this before."

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The four-time Soweto Marathon champion has earned her reputation as one of South Africa’s strongest hill runners. Her ability to glide up steep climbs with ease has earned her admiration from fellow athletes and recreational runners alike. 

While many struggle on the hills, van Zyl says she has always preferred them and feels more comfortable when the route gets tougher.

The three-time Spar Women’s 10km Grand Prix champion is aiming to improve on last year’s fourth-place finish and has her sights set on a podium finish.

The Hollywood Athletics Club star has enjoyed a relatively quiet racing season as she focused all her attention on preparing for her second Comrades Marathon. Van Zyl says much of her planning this year revolved around ensuring she arrived at the start line in the best possible condition.

"So I haven't been racing too much. My oldest is in Grade 5 so we've been studying hard for exams. I am a mother so I have to juggle that. Unfortunately I didn't experience the Two Oceans because I've just been dealing with a few variables."

After battling injuries over the last few years, the 38-year-old says she is feeling healthy and ready for the challenge ahead. While she remains cautious about the demands of the race, she believes she has done everything possible in preparation and is eager to see how her body responds on race day.