Gerda Steyn wraps up her marathon preparations with a top 10 finish at Joburg 10km

Meanwhile, South African road long-distance star Gerda Steyn expressed satisfaction with her fourth-place finish.

Desta showcased her exceptional skills, completing the race in an impressive time of 33:03:47, securing the winner’s purse of R30 000.

Her compatriot Salem Gebre, secured second place in a time of 33:10.

The honour of being the first South African to cross the finish line went to Irvette van Zyl, who completed the race in 34:34.

Following closely behind was Steyn securing the fourth position with a time of 34:43.

This thrilling race attracted a remarkable turnout of over 10,000 dedicated runners.

“The atmosphere in the city of Joburg was truly electrifying. I have a deep affection for this race and was absolutely captivated by today’s vibrant ambiance. I gave it my all to absorb every moment, and it proved to be an incredible experience,” Steyn shared with the national broadcaster.

The 33-year-old Comrades and Two Oceans Marathon champion, strategically incorporated the shorter distance race into her training routine as a stepping stone towards her upcoming overseas marathon later this year.

Her ultimate aim is to secure qualification for her second appearance at the Olympic Games set to take place in Paris next year.

While her personal best in the 10km stands at an impressive 32 minutes, she was unable to surpass that mark on Heritage Day.

“I aimed to elevate my performance, and this race marked a significant improvement compared to my previous three weeks at the Tshwane 10km, where I finished in ninth place. Coming just a few seconds shy of the podium was an exhilarating experience, and I’m genuinely content with my performance.  Currently, I’ve initiated my marathon preparations for the year-end, with the goal of qualifying for the Paris Olympics. The year 2024 promises to be action-packed, and I’m eagerly anticipating the opportunity to make our home crowd proud. To fellow runners, I’d like to share advice: when your passion comes from the heart, you’ll find true enjoyment in every stride,” added Steyn.