‘Luck’ on Steyn’s side in record Siena run
THE day before the Xiamen Marathon and Tuscany Elite Camp Global Elite Race in Siena, Italy, Gerda Steyn posted a message on her social media accounts calling for good luck.
“All that’s left to do is to show up and do it!! Dropping the Race bib here for good luck of course,” read part of the 31-year-old’s post on Saturday.
Yesterday morning, it appears as if luck was on her side as she set a new South African marathon record, stopping the clock on two hours, 25 minutes and 28 seconds (2:25.28) for the classic 42.2km distance.
That was over a second quicker than the 25-year-old mark set by Colleen de Reuck in the 1996 Berlin Marathon, where she finished in 2:26.35.
It was a remarkable performance from Steyn considering she was not even sure of turning out for the race.
The reigning Comrades and Two Oceans Marathon champion was originally scheduled to run in Hamburg yesterday, but that event was postponed to next weekend and moved to The Netherlands because of Covid-19 restrictions.
Steyn was then able to sign up for the marathon in Italy, but again had visa issues.
“I literally got my visa this (Wednesday) morning,” Van Zyl told her club Nedbank Athletics’ website from the OR Tambo International Airport before the race.
“It was touch and go, but I am just glad that everything has worked out, and I can actually mentally prepare and focus just on the race now.”
On Saturday, she wrote on social media: “The lead up to this race has been so unique and so memorable and when things get tough out there, I will remind myself that I’m not running alone but with the support of many!!
“See you on the other side of 42.2!!!”
Well, she was all smiles at the end after finishing ninth on the day, as she realised that she had not only set a new personal best time, but also broke the national record.
Steyn’s previous best was 2:26.51, which she set at the London Marathon last year – and which almost got her the SA mark.
But yesterday, she made the breakthrough, and it was something that was hoped for by her club team manager, former Comrades Marathon champion Nick Bester.
Club teammate Irvette van Zyl also had a race to remember, qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics with a time of 2:28.40.
“Both Gerda and Irvette’s training went well, and they are looking for some good times,” Bester said before the race.
“Gerda just missed out on the South African marathon record last year in London when the conditions were not great.
“I expect her to run a lot faster this time round, so that is the goal. And for Irvette, it’s to get under the Olympic qualifying time.”
Now it’s all systems go for the Tokyo Olympics.
Steyn will hope it’s a case of third time lucky, having been unable to finish the marathon at the 2012 London Games, while an injury ruled her out of the 2016 Rio Olympics.