South Africa’s darling of road running, Gerda Steyn has set her sights on the 5th annual Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K that will see the streets of Jozi being painted red on National Heritage Day, Saturday 24 September 2022.
“I am very excited to take part in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K, especially because it will be the first time since 2019 (due to the pandemic) that this race will be hosted in Joburg on National Heritage Day,” says Steyn. “I cannot think of a better day to celebrate its return. I took part in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K in July, and that just whet my appetite for the Jozi race.”
“It’s an honor to have a South African athlete of Gerda’s caliber choose to continuously return to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Founder of the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series. “Gerda is one of SA’s most popular runners and does get invited to many of the worlds bigger, high-profile races, so for her to choose to race in the Series is a great honor and shows just how important the Series is to both international and South African athletes alike. We are both excited and proud to welcome Gerda to the start line in Joburg on National Heritage Day ready to #RunYourCity.”
The course record holder of both the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon and the Comrades Marathon Up-Run, Steyn dreams of going faster over the standard marathon distance. Although she would have been aiming to get closer to the 33-minute mark when she lined up for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K in July, the marathon specialist hung in for tenth place in 33:53.
“I want to run faster over 10km and 21km in order to improve my marathon time,” confirms Steyn. “My main objective is to get under the 2:25 mark. The marathon is very important to me, and I do feel like I still have a few years of bettering my time on the marathon.”
The ultra-marathon star will therefore be racing the New York Marathon in November for a third time as she aims to improve over the standard marathon by facing world class competitors. The Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K will be an important part of that preparation, where she is likely to be more dangerous over the hilly course.
“It is challenging to keep my speed, so even though I train for marathons, I continue doing speed workouts,” admits Steyn. “I love doing the speed workouts because it pushes me out of my comfort zone which tends to be the endurance side of running. This is what pushes me and keeps my mind strong. There is always something more to aim for and it is enjoyable. It’s very important to enjoy the process and enjoy the work that you put it. Race day should be the cherry on top because you’ve already put in all the work. When it comes to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series, race day is always enjoyable, and that’s what makes it South Africa’s number one series. I can’t wait to take part in the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K.”
Steyn will face tough competition from the likes of Glenrose ‘Supercharge’ Xaba, Cacisile Sosibo, Lebo Phalula, Lebogang Phalula, Kesa Molotsane and Lesotho’s national record holder over 10 000m, 10km and the half marathon, Neheng Khatala.
EVENT INFORMATION: Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K
| Date: | Saturday 24 September 2022 |
| Start & Finish: | Start: Lilian Ngoyi Street, Mary Fitzgerald Square
Finish: Rahima Moosa Street, Mary Fitzgerald Square |
| Entry Fee: | Standard (Licensed): R235.00
Gold Package (Licensed): R900.00 Temporary Licence: R40.00 |
CHARITY SUPPORT: When entering the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K online entrants can choose to support four local charities: 1. Reach For A Dream Foundation (RFAD), 2. Cotlands, 3. Johannesburg SPCA and 4. Johannesburg Heritage Foundation.
NEW ROUTE: The 2022 Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K will boast an exciting new route that includes fun sections of the M1 and M2 Highways. For more information CLICK HERE
WIN a Chery Tiggo 4 Pro Urban at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K: All runners (and walkers) that enter the 2022 Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K will stand a chance to win a stunning Chery Tiggo 4 Pro Urban vehicle to the value of R289 900.00 on event day. To be in the running to win the vehicle you must enter the event (and pay the entry fee), collect your race number from Race Pack Collection during the stipulated days and times and be on the start line on race day. For more information CLICK HERE
Facebook: @Joburg10k
Instagram: @Joburg10k
Hashtag: #RunYourCity #AbsaRunYourCity
Website: www.joburg10k.com / www.runyourcityseries.com
About Absa
Absa Group is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and is one of Africa’s largest diversified financial services groups.
Absa Group offers an integrated set of products and services across personal and business banking, corporate and investment banking, wealth and investment management and insurance.
Absa operates in fourteen countries. The Group owns majority stakes in banks in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania (Absa Bank Tanzania and National Bank of Commerce), Uganda and Zambia and has insurance operations in Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zambia. Absa also has representative offices in Namibia and Nigeria, and securities entities in the United Kingdom and the United States.
For further information about Absa Group Limited, please visit www.absa.africa
About the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series
A proudly South African mass participation road running series, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series has been revolutionizing the sport since 2015. A road running celebration like no other, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series comprises three unique events namely the Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K (launched in 2015), the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K (launched in 2017) and the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K (launched in 2016).
A diverse road running series, the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series integrates businesses, families, investment in community, world class achievement and fun for all participants.
For further information please visit https://runyourcityseries.com/
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