Latest news with #HollywoodAthleticsClub
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
OPINION: Comrades queen Gerda Steyn faces a battle against Irvette van Zyl
Van Zyl has earned three runner-up finishes at the Two Oceans ultra-marathon and holds the SA 50km record. In recent years, Gerda Steyn has become the darling of South African ultra-distance running, racking up a long list of victories and records at 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. Gerda Steyn after winning her sixth successive title at the Two Oceans ultra-marathon in Cape Town last month. Picture: Peter Heeger/Gallo Images 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 at 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.
The Citizen
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
American athlete Courtney Olsen targets another top three Comrades finish
Olsen showed good form last month when she won the US national 50km title. Courtney Olsen breaking the 50-mile world record at the Tunnel Hill ultra-distance race in Illinois in November last year. Picture: Supplied Having enjoyed a memorable debut last year by finishing third in the women's race, American athlete Courtney Olsen hopes to return to the podium at the Comrades Marathon next month, though she admits it is going to be a challenge as an amateur athlete. While ultra-distance running is popular enough in South Africa that athletes can turn professional, it is considered a fringe sport in the United States, and Olsen has to juggle various responsibilities with her training. Based in Bellingham (a city in Washington) 37-year-old Olsen has a full-time job in the banking industry. She also manages the Bellingham Distance Project, a competitive running team of post-collegiate athletes. 'At work I tend to find myself gravitating towards admin roles, so I kind of just go to whatever position will best support my running,' Olsen said this week. 'Running has never been something I could make a living off, so I've always worked full-time to make my running dreams possible.' Impressive results An ultra-distance specialist, Olsen has achieved some impressive results in recent years. She was fourth at the 100km World Championships in 2023, and after finishing third at Comrades last year she went on to break the 50-mile (80.46km) world record, clocking 5:31:56 at a race in Illinois. Despite this success, Olsen has struggled to find sponsors, though she has received backing this year from Durban-based Hollywood Athletics Club. Having prepared for the race in a low-key environment, she said she was eager to return to South Africa to race in front of large crowds of enthusiastic supporters. 'Road ultras seem to be the lesser desired or supported events in the US, so it felt so powerful to race in South Africa last year because it felt like it was truly cared about,' she said. Showing good form In the build-up to her second attempt at Comrades, Olsen won the US 50km Championships last month, proving she was in good shape. However, she was set to compete on the Comrades 'down' run course for the first time, and she acknowledged she was entering new territory. She also had to contend with a strong field spearheaded by defending champion Gerda Steyn and South African 50km record holder Irvette van Zyl. Steyn, the Comrades record holder, and Van Zyl, making her debut, will join Olsen as part of a powerful Hollywood Athletics Club team in the women's race at the 90km contest in KwaZulu-Natal. 'I would love to be in the top three again, even though I know that will be very challenging,' Olsen said. 'Gerda is obviously extremely difficult to beat, but if I have the legs I would really love to try to see if I can interact with her on that course.'
