Irvette van Zyl ready for Gerda Steyn showdown at Soweto Marathon

Last year, Van Zyl withdrew from the race at the last minute due to a hamstring injury, paving the way for Neheng Khatala of Lesotho to win her maiden title. 

Van Zyl has told SABC Sport that she is excited to see Steyn finally make her debut in the iconic People’s Race, as she confirmed she is fully fit and eager to reclaim her crown.

"Ja, I'm excited that Gerda is running, so that will be interesting – it's always [uncertain] going into Soweto, you never know until you cross the finish line how good of a day it will be," said van Zyl.

"But I'm excited just to line up; last year I couldn't because of my hamstring that was torn, so that was really bad luck, but I was there commentating and I must say it's easier running than talking about the race."

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Van Zyl argued that, while she usually plays second fiddle to Steyn at the Two Oceans Marathon, things may be different on her home turf of Soweto, which she has mastered.

"I feel more comfortable in Soweto, running against Gerda. She really does well in the Ultra-Marathons, and I feel like when I first came onto the Ultra scene, she already ran a few so I was always catching up to her because she's so advanced and knows the recipe.

"So it feels like Soweto is more equal for me, I feel more confident going into because, even running Comrades against her – this year was my first and it was her seventh or eighth one.

"In the Ultras I always feel like I'm trying to catch up or trying to just know what works in the Ultras, which is so much different than a marathon, so I feel like in Soweto, I've done it five times now, winning it four times, so ja."