Steyn targets historic Two Oceans Marathon title

The much-anticipated 56km Ultra-Marathon will take place in Newlands, Cape Town, with the starting gun sounding at 00:5am on April 16.

Steyn won the Ultra-Marathon in 2018, a year later, and again in 2022, with the races in 2020 and 2021 cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Fellow South African Monica Drogemoller won the Ultra-Marathon also three times in 1990, 1991, and 1992, before Lesotho's Angelina Sephooa repeated the feat consecutively from ‘97. 

Steyn will become the competition's most successful runner should the race go her way next month.

“My target is four titles. I have a plan in mind to execute my race, and I can feel inside of me that the record will tumble on race day. I am working hard day and night to prepare for the Ultra-Marathon,” Steyn told SABC Sport.

Steyn made history in 2022 when she broke Frith Van der Merwe's 33-year-old record in the 56-kilometre showpiece at the University of Cape Town Rugby Fields in 3 hours, 29 minutes, and 41 seconds. This year, she will run in a permanent race number 6063 reserved for blue club members that run and complete ten races and more. Steyn has three races on her name but got awarded the blue club number because of her three consecutive titles.

“I want to break my record. I hope the weather will be right and I will be in a good mood and shape to do it. It is almost race day, and my preparations are on point. I am training in Johannesburg after training for a few months in Dubai, where my partner lives.  

“Johannesburg offers me the best training options, and I am in the best possible condition,” said a confident Steyn, who joined the Phantane Athletics Club last month.

Irvette Van Zyl, who secured second place in 3:30:31 in the previous edition, is out of the race due to a knee injury, and she was the strongest challenger to Steyn.

“I enjoy racing against Irvette. Unfortunately, she is injured, and I feel sorry for her. She was supposed to push me.” 

In Van Zyl's absence, Adele Broodryk, the double Om die dam 50km Ultra-Marathon champion, could give Steyn a run for her money. Brookryk finished third in her first Comrades Marathon in 2022, in 6:26:34 over the 90km distance.

 “I know Adele, and excited to see what she can do on the road running events this year. She is an incredible South African runner, but I want to focus on myself and break the record for most wins in a row.”