Irvette Van Zyl targets World Championships after injury return

Her highly anticipated return took place at the Spar Ladies Women’s 10km Grand Prix Series Durban leg after seven months out with an ankle injury.

The 35-year-old former Grand Prix Series champion crossed the finish line in ninth place, clocking 34 minutes and 20 seconds and described the period on the sidelines as one of the most frustrating in her athletics career.

"All is a progress to come back, first accepting that you have an injury and then dealing with a situation that you are in. It's never easy having an injury especially when it's so severe that you think you gonna heal fast then you go from doctor to doctor then you are not healing. So, it's been a frustrating road back, this was one of the most frustrating injuries I've had to date," she said.

With her sights set on the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, in August, Van Zyl is determined to secure a spot on the South African marathon team.

"I want to find my fitness again and just build up the progress. I really want to get to World Champs, it's in August, the end of August for the marathon so I'm working just get my solid position in the team and make sure I'm fit enough to be able to run," she added.