The field deepens as the darling of South African road running, Gerda Steyn, confirms her entry into the inaugural Absa Run Your City Tshwane 10K that will take place in the Jacaranda City this coming weekend on 27 August.

After a record-breaking year in which she shattered her own Two Oceans Marathon record (becoming the only athlete to win four times in a row) and then obliterating the 24-year-old Comrades Marathon record of Frith van der Merwe (van der Merwe ran 5:54.43 in 1989, Steyn clocked 5:44.54), Steyn has now set her sights on the shorter distance of 10km.

“I am excited to be in Pretoria for the first ever Absa Run Your City Tshwane 10K. It is a great honour for me to be invited. I know the route will be tough and that suits me, so I will be hoping to be competitive,” Steyn said earlier this week.

Steyn is affectionately known as the Golden Girl 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 merely a chat, and 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 in form Cacisile Sosibo (South Africa), Uganda’s Docus Ajok and Ethiopia’s 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 9 August.

Ajok is also in fine form and is arguably the favourite for the race on Sunday 27 August. In all three of the Absa Run Your City Series races this year, 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. This means that Ajok will be the one lining up with a bull’s eye on her back at the Absa Run Your City Tshwane 10K.

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 Absa Run Your City Tshwane 10K will boast fantastic racing in both the men’s and women’s elite fields. 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,” said Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Founder of the Absa Run Your City Series.

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram