The field deepens as South African road running superstar, Gerda Steyn, confirmed her entry into the inaugural Absa Run Your City Tshwane 10K.
The race will take place in the Jacaranda City on August 27.
After a record-breaking year in which she shattered her own Two Oceans Marathon record, becoming the only athlete to win the race four times in a row, and then obliterating the 24-year-old Comrades Marathon record of Frith van der Merwe (5:54.43 in 1989, Steyn clocked 5:44.54), she has now set her sights on the shorter 10km distance.
“I’m excited to be in Tshwane for the first ever Absa Run Your City Tshwane 10K. It is a great honour for me to be invited,” she said.
“I know the route will be tough and that suits me, so I will be hoping to be competitive on 27 August.”
Steyn is affectionately known as the darling of South African road running, not only due to her breathtaking performances, but also her availability and charm when dealing with runners of all abilities.
The 33-year-old always makes time for those who want a photo or a mere a chat, it is that charm that has endeared her to the South African running public.
Drawing from the rich heritage of the Absa Run Your City Series, the first-ever Absa Run Your City Tshwane 10K has attracted an exceptional women’s field.
Already confirmed are South African star Glenrose Xaba and Lesotho’s three-time national record holder Neheng Khatala.
Now added to the mix are on-form South African Cacisile Sosibo, Uganda’s Docus Ajok, and Ethiopian Debash Desta.
Sosibo has found great form in the second half of the year, culminating in her win at the Totalsports Women’s Race in Durban on August 9.
Ajok is also in fine form and is arguably a favourite for the race on August 27. In all the three series races in 2023, she has always finished on the podium.
Third in Gqeberha and second in both Cape Town and Durban with a new PB of 31:54 means that Ajok will be the one lining up with a bull’s eye on her back in Tshwane.
Ethiopia’s Debash Desta has also been added to the field.
Boasting a half marathon best time of 71:01 and a 10km best time of 32:14, Desta will be a dangerous protagonist come race day.
“In true Absa Run Your City Series form, the inaugural Tshwane race will boast fantastic racing in both the men’s and women’s elite fields,” said Michael Meyer, managing director of Stillwater Sports and founder of the Absa Run Your City Series
“We’re excited that Gerda will line up for her first Run Your City Series race of the year. We look forward to welcoming her and all the other elite, category and social runners and walkers to the series’ debut in Tshwane.”
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