Steyn Excited to Make Her Free State Racing Debut

Gerda Steyn is relishing a return to the Free State, where the ultra-marathon star will take on a new challenge when she lines up against some of the world’s best 10km specialists. For Steyn, the inaugural Absa Run Your City Mangaung 10K on Sunday 25 October 2026 represents more than a race – for her it’s a homecoming.

Being part of this event feels like a homecoming…

“The Free State is where I grew up and also where I went to university. Being part of this event feels like a homecoming – a full-circle moment because I’ve never actually raced in the Free State or the Northern Cape,” admits Steyn. “I’m sure I will recognise every corner and every turn. Racing a 10km also exposes me to a different side of the running community because I get to meet different people and new faces that I don’t get to meet at the marathons and the ultra-marathons. It’s very, very special indeed.”

Steyn’s knowledge of South Africa’s premier 10km mass participation event stems from a long history with the Series, which also saw her take part in the very first Absa Run Your City Tshwane 10K in August 2023. Because of her lengthy association with the Series, which started in Cape Town in 2015 and attracted over 50 000 runners across the country last year, the darling of SA road running knows firsthand just why the series continues to be so popular amongst runners and has grown to now include its sixth city.

“I think from the start the series has had such a wonderful reputation for bringing mass participation and world-class elite-level performances to the heart of South Africa’s urban spaces. Every runner can attest to the fact that the experience, from entering the race to finishing the race, is always so pleasant, which is why we have seen its tremendous growth.”

Excited by the prospect of competing in her first race in South Africa’s heartland, the seven-time Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon champion and five-time Comrades Marathon winner believes that racing shorter distances is an important part of ultra-marathon success. The Smiling Assassin, who holds a 32:24 10km lifetime best set in 2020, is hopeful that her home crowd will carry her to a memorable Free State racing debut in the Series she loves so much.

“I always find that stepping down from the ultra-marathon and marathon distance to race a 10km is very beneficial,” continues Steyn. “After my wins this year, I’ve had time to recover, and I’m back on the road again, working on my speed. The training and the racing for 10km is quite different to the long distances. There’s no room for mistakes. You have to be ready to go from the gun, which forces me to stay sharp and keep focusing on the speed side of my training.

“When it comes to the 25th of October, I’m hoping to do well in Mangaung and am hoping to be encouraged by the crowds and also by the strong competition that will line up next to me. I aim to get the most out of myself on race day, which is all I can ask of myself.”

The post Steyn Excited to Make Her Free State Racing Debut appeared first on Runner's World.