Van Zyl looking to return to form at run

THE women’s race at the 2019 FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN on Sunday, 13 October is shaping up to be arguably the most fiercely contested in the three years of the event.

Already confirmed are the defending champion, Stella Chesang and the world’s fastest for 2019 and second fastest ever, Sheila Chepkirui. On the South African front, in form Glenrose Xaba, the darling of South African road running, Gerda Steyn and new Zimbabwe record holder, Fortunate Chidzivo have already been confirmed.  Now 2018’s third place finisher, Irvette van Zyl and Kenya’s Beatrice Mutai have been added to the line-up. For van Zyl, six weeks after undergoing surgery, she was back on the roads, finishing 7th in the ladies race in Pietermaritzburg, clocking 34:21 on not the easiest of courses.

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“I am looking forward to returning to Durban. I am of course not in the same kind of shape as I was in 2018 but I am optimistic that I will give a good showing of myself. This is such a fantastic race and there are always really good athletes in Durban, so I am excited and am looking for a 32 again.”

Joining the illustrious line up is Kenya’s Beatrice Mutai. Like van Zyl, Mutai is 32 years old. Mutai boasts a 10km best of 31:28, run in Tilden (Texas) in 2017. She finished 4th in Kabarnet, Kenya in the 10km on 24 August this year, clocking 33:46.. “I  am looking for a sub 30.25 which gives me a shot at the win.”

Sheila Chepkirui clocked 29:57 on 7 September this year, the second fastest time ever and the best of 2019. Chepkirui will be sure to set a fast pace on the fast and flat course of Durban. The FNB Durban 10K CITYSURFRUN starts at Blue Lagoon (Athlone Drive) and finishes at the Beachfront Precinct near The Bike and Bean. Visit: www.durban10k.com

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