Irvette van Zyl will celebrate her Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K debut on Sunday, 24 August 2025. Known for her fearless front-running, Van Zyl’s participation adds an exciting local star presence to the Tshwane leg of South Africa’s iconic road running series.
After earning a gold medal on her Comrades Marathon debut in June, Irvette van Zyl is shifting her focus to shorter distances as she works on regaining her 10km speed in the second half of 2025. The four-time Olympian has confirmed her entry for the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K, which forms part of her build-up towards a standard marathon later this year. Van Zyl, who impressively finished fourth at The Ultimate Human Race on 8 June, says she is feeling better than expected as she transitions back to faster-paced racing.
“The body was lekker eina after Comrades,” laughs Van Zyl. It took four days to start walking normal again and then I only started running again after ten days of full rest. The first two weeks back was slow and my body just felt so fragile. But after that every week went better and better. I have had a good four weeks of introducing speed again and every session has been going better. I’m very pleased with where I am right now mentally and physically.”
The Hollywood Athletics Club ace demonstrated just how well her training has been going with an encouraging 34:42 to claim ninth position at the SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge at SuperSport Park in Pretoria on Saturday 2 August. That performance in addition to the excitement of running her very first Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES race in her hometown, has left the 38-year-old bullish about the prospect of ending up on the podium on a hilly course which favours her strengths.
“I’m really excited to do this year’s Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K because last year I tore my hamstring post Olympics and I really wanted to do the race,” she says. “I was entered but I had to make the call two days before not to run. But my husband LJ (Van Zyl) ran and he made me so jealous on the day because he had an amazing time on the roads. Being out there last year to see all the ladies run such good races motivated me. I’m really looking forward to being part of it this year and hopefully I can sneak in a top three position.”
Van Zyl’s husband LJ who won a bronze medal at the 2011 World Championships over 400m hurdles will also run again as he tries to break the 40 minute barrier. Irvette says this is what makes the race so special for the Van Zyls – it takes place right in their backyard and ends up being a memorable outing for the entire family.
In closing, Van Zyl adds: “Seeing that Tshwane is my hometown, I don’t even have to go anywhere. The race is on my front stoep. We’ll see if we take the kids with because we did last year, but I wasn’t running whereas this year both LJ and I are running. It’s going to be a good day out, racing hard and soaking up the vibes. I’m really excited.”
“We are excited to welcome Irvette to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K for the first time,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports and Series Founder. “Irvette is an exceptional athlete whose passion for racing resonates with so many runners. It’s also fantastic to have her husband, LJ Van Zyl, taking on the 10km challenge with the exciting personal goal of breaking the 40-minute barrier. We wish them both the very best as they line up together in Tshwane. It’s going to be a memorable race day for the Van Zyl family and for all participants.”
EVENT DATES: 2025 Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES
| 1. Sunday 13 April 2025 | Absa RUN YOUR CITY GQEBERHA 10K
Elite Man: Adriaan Wildschutt (RSA) 27:28 Elite Woman: Jane Gati Chacha (Kenya) 31:45
|
| 2. Sunday 11 May 2025 | Absa RUN YOUR CITY CAPE TOWN 10K
Elite Man: Kabelo Maluadzi (RSA) 27:49 Elite Woman: Glenrose Xaba (RSA) 32:00
|
| 3. Sunday 13 July 2025 | Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K
Elite Man: Kabelo Mulaudzi (RSA) 27:41 Elite Woman: Clare Ndiwa (Kenya) 30:50
|
| 4. Sunday 24 August 2025 | Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K
Start Time: 08:00 Start Venue: Stanza Bopape Street, Arcadia, Tshwane Finish Venue: Stanza Bopape Street, Arcadia, Tshwane
|
| 5. Wednesday 24 September 2025 | Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10K |
CHARITY SUPPORT: The Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES proudly supports the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) as the official charity of the entire series of events. A non-profit leader in the fight against cancer since 1931, CANSA enables research, educates the public and advocates for and supports all people affected by cancer, while leading SA towards a cancer-free society. When entering an Absa RUN YOUR CITY SERIES event online, runners can show their support by donating towards CANSA.
Facebook: @Gqeberha10k / @CapeTown10k / @Durban10k / @Tshwane10k / @Joburg10k
Instagram: @Gqeberha10k / @CapeTown10k / @Durban10k / @Tshwane10k / @Joburg10k
Hashtag: #RunYourCity #AbsaRunYourCity
WhatsApp Line: 072 042 7613
Websites: www.runyourcityseries.com
