OPINION: Comrades queen Gerda Steyn faces a battle against Irvette van Zyl

In recent years, Gerda Steyn has become the darling of South African ultra-distance running, racking up a long list of victories and records in the country’s biggest races.

Everybody loves Gerda, and for good reason. She hardly seems to put a foot wrong and her dominance at both the Comrades and Two Oceans ultra-marathons has been astounding.

However, as much as we’ve enjoyed the “Smiling Assassin” tearing up the road with a grin, her phenomenal results have made things a little predictable.

Van Zyl debut

At Comrades next week, however, Steyn will have to deal with Hollywood Athletics Club teammate Irvette van Zyl.

One of South Africa’s top road runners since she was a teenager, 37-year-old Van Zyl has been the only athlete to put up a fight against Steyn in the Two Oceans over the last few years, pushing her all the way to the line on two occasions.

And while she has been on the road back from injury in preparation for her first attempt at the Comrades Marathon, if anyone can give Steyn a go next weekend, it’s Van Zyl.

At first glance, Van Zyl looks like she’s made of spaghetti.

Beneath the veneer, however, is a lining of steel that makes her one of the most feared athletes on SA roads.

Mental strength

Van Zyl has been riddled with injuries throughout her career and she’s not as consistent as Steyn (to be fair, nobody is), but when she’s in form she has the mental strength to dig deeper than just about anyone.

It’s this side of her character that suggests she could be well suited to the brutal Comrades course, on top of the fact that she’s one of the strongest hill runners in the country. Comrades is all about hills, even on the down run.

Steyn will undoubtedly line up as the favourite for her fourth Comrades victory and though she will be almost unbeatable at her best, if she falters in any way, Van Zyl is likely to be lurking, waiting to pounce.

Ultra-distance experience

Not a novice to ultra-distance running, Van Zyl holds the SA 50km record of 3:04:24 (though she set that mark on a flat, looped course) and she has three runner-up finishes at Two Oceans.

She might have to run the race of her life to give Steyn a shake next week, but Van Zyl might just make a race of it.

As much as we love Gerda, some real competition will make things interesting and Irvette van Zyl is just the sort of athlete who can mix things up.

It should be a cracking race.