The queen of South African distance running Gerda Steyn once again showed her class when she finished as runner-up to Kenya’s Frida Ndinda at the Hollywoodbets Joburg 10k race on Saturday morning.
Steyn, an ultra marathon specialist with four Comrades and six times Two Oceans Marathons titles, and current record holder in both races , often moves down to the shorter distances to improve her speed and usually surprises the regulars.
She was at it again at the Wanderers Club Saturday when she ran the 24-year-old Ndinda close. The Kenyan won the race in a time of 35:18 to make up for the runner-up berth from Hollywoodbets Durban 10K a fortnight ago. Steyn followed shortly thereafter in 35:52.
Frida Ndinda Photo: Hollywood AC
Steyn, 35, beat the 23-year-old Tuks athlete Karabo Mailula (36:12) into third place. Dikeledi Majara (36:3) and Cacisile Sosibo (37:07) rounded up the top five.
She therefore approached the race as a sharpening run as she primes her legs for the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon.
“It was a wonderful experience at the Hollywoodbets Joburg 10K this morning,” Steyn said, her trademark smile as wide as the Wanderers Club gates.
“I expected it to be a tough race, but I thoroughly enjoyed the run. I must say I was feeling strong throughout. I never felt I was maxing out. I didn’t want to focus on pace or time. My only goal was to compete well and be in the mix — and I think I did that.”
Like a seasoned campaigner pacing through a storm, Steyn bided her time.
“At the start of the race I thought, wow, this is going fast, so I decided to hold back. Slowly I started picking off runners. Around 7.5km I was in second, and I could see the leader and the car ahead… but I kind of ran out of route.”
She added:
“I wanted to make sure I ran strongly and focused on the sharp end of my speed work. It was a wonderful experience and I am very, very pleased with the result today.”
Mosiako Back on Top
Thabang Mosiako Photo: Hollywood AC
If Steyn’s race was measured, Thabang Mosiako’s was pure fire. The South African half marathon champion blasted off the line and never looked back, storming to victory in 29:45.
With Lesotho’s Kamohelo Mofolo absent, Mosiako held off marathon champion Bennet Seloyi (30:00) and evergreen Stephen Mokoka (30:04).
“I feel so good,” Mosiako said, joy written across his face like fresh chalk on the finish line.
“I’m really happy and excited with my comeback. It’s been a while since I got number one. The confidence and the shape are coming back.”
The plan was always to go from the gun.
“I told myself I’m gonna go from the start because I know Stephen and Seloyi are preparing for Cape Town, so if I go first, they can’t catch me.
“But I kept looking back because I know Stephen. This madala who doesn’t want to get old can give me problems.”
Even the clock surprised him.
“It was a shock for me running sub-30 because this course was hard last year. But without that killer hill, it was easier. I hope next year will be the same.”
Results
Men – Open
- Thabang Mosiako (RSA) – 29:45
- Bennet Seloyi (RSA) – 30:00
- Stephen Mokoka (RSA) – 30:04
- Namakoe Nkhasi (LES) – 30:10
- Chris Mhlanga (RSA) – 30:26
- Simon Sibeko (RSA) – 30:33
- Tsietso Sello (LES) – 30:34
- Pakiso Mthembu (RSA) – 30:36
- Lebenya Nkoka (LES) – 30:38
- Cwenga Nose (RSA) – 30:44
Juniors
- Lebogang Gababoe (RSA) – 32:59
- Divan de Vries (RSA) – 34:01
- Keagan Botha (RSA) – 34:56
40–49
- Stephen Mokoka (RSA) – 30:03
- Lebenya Nkoka (LES) – 30:37
- Edward Mothibi (RSA) – 31:02
50–59
- Charles Tjiane (RSA) – 34:31
- Shadrack Hoff (RSA) – 35:09
- Collin Kubheka (RSA) – 38:50
60+
- Sanele Mjale (RSA) – 44:07
- Sontaga Mabale (RSA) – 45:25
- Sanele Radebe (RSA) – 45:35
Women – Open
- Fridah Ndinda (KEN) – 35:18
- Gerda Steyn (RSA) – 35:52
- Karabo Mailula (RSA) – 36:12
- Dikeledi Majara (LES) – 36:32
- Cacisile Sosibo (RSA) – 37:07
- Nobukhosi Tshuma (RSA) – 38:33
- Rutendo Nyahora (ZIM) – 39:04
- Melinda Jansen van Vuuren (RSA) – 39:10
- Ntsoaki Molahloe (RSA) – 39:15
- Melissa Jansen van Vuuren (RSA) – 40:04
Juniors
- Kaitlyn du Plessis (RSA) – 44:20
- Maya Bolton (RSA) – 52:21
- Jordan Smit (RSA) – 54:30
40–49
- Maria Vilakazi (RSA) – 41:37
- Elizabeth Chemweno (KEN) – 41:47
- Mpho Moshiga (RSA) – 42:13
50–59
- Clara Betton (RSA) – 47:34
- Angela Rogers (RSA) – 50:26
- Lelanie van der Westhuizen (RSA) – 51:15
60+
- Natalie Sanders (RSA) – 54:15
- Magdeline Makgata (RSA) – 57:16
- Wendy Forster (RSA) – 57:54
