ROAD RUNNING
Gerda ’ s Marathon Goal
Gerda Steyn is the country ’ s fastest female marathon runner , having clocked 2:25:28 in Italy in 2021 to smash the former South African record by over a minute . She ’ s a crowd favourite in the ultra-marathon distances , too , having won both the Two Oceans and Comrades ultramarathons in recent years . She recently signed up to run in adidas shoes and apparel , and we caught up with her in the adidas store in Cape Town ’ s V & A Waterfront to chat about her love of running , and what fuels her Impossible is Nothing attitude .
Gerda is feeling relaxed about the next chapter in her running career
New Year , New Goals …
“ I ’ ve been thinking about the direction my running is going for a long time . At the end of each year , I ’ ll think about where I ’ m at and what my goals are . And last year was quite different for me , because it was the first time I had represented my country . It was an eye-opener to experience the world of championship racing at the Tokyo Olympics , and by the time I got to the end of the year , I knew I wanted to make a change in my approach to running , and my support team .”
“ When I started running in 2015 , it all happened quite quickly , like being hit with a giant wave ! I didn ’ t really have to think about where I was going . Last year , though , I took the time to really think about my future , and knew I needed to make a few changes . That is why working with adidas is more than just a contract to me . I ’ ve heard how supportive the brand is of its athletes , and I ’ m excited about that . It ’ s important to me that when I lace my shoes up , I know that the whole adidas team is behind me , and that we ’ re in this together . I ’ m excited about the possibilities that lie ahead .”
Athletics as a Career …
“ Another thing I really wanted to start focusing on is to help develop the running talent in South Africa . I want to bring an awareness to the sport , to help athletes get into running early on , and I want them to know that there can be a career for them as a professional athlete . My advice for those who are passionate about athletics is to get into the sport from a young age , and not wait as long as I did . It never crossed my mind that one day that I could be a professional athlete . It was a dream , but not one that I was actively working towards , because I didn ’ t think it would be possible . I love how it ’ s changed my life .”
“ Being able to transition from being a full-time office-based quantity surveyor , to being able to run for a living has been an amazing experience . Putting in the hard work every day and seeing the results is so satisfying . I love what I do , and it shows on my face ! I want people to know how amazing it is to be able to make sport your profession , and that there are people out there just looking for talent , looking to support athletes , so if they ’ re passionate about what they do , they should pursue it . Of course , it takes a lot of hard work and commitment , but it ’ s totally worth it .
Goals for 2022 …
“ I ’ m still busy finalising my race calendar for 2022 , but one of my goals is to compete in the marathon distance at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon , USA in July . When I first started running , I was taking part in ultra-marathon distances , and only later did I run a marathon competitively , which is opposite to how most athletes approach long distance running . Since 2019 , I ’ ve really fallen in love with the marathon distance , though , and I think there ’ s still a lot for me to explore at that distance . I feel as though I can still improve on the time I set in Italy last year . My big goal was to break the South African marathon record , which I did , but I still have such a hunger in me to run a fast marathon .”
“ Although my heart is set on the marathon distance , ultra-marathons will always be really special to me . I love the sense of community and how supportive South African ultra-runners are . I ’ ve made some wonderful friendships through the ultra-marathon events that I ’ ve participated in .”
“ I also like to join community running clubs when I ’ m in town , because I enjoy having that social interaction with fellow runners . At this stage , I ’ m not affiliated to a specific running club , and it ’ s not a decision I ’ m going to rush . Whether it ’ s a club that does or doesn ’ t support me financially , is irrelevant . It just needs to feel right .”
16 ISSUE 149 | www . modernathlete . co . za