Gerda Steyn backs Glenrose Xaba for Cape Town Marathon success

South African distance-running star Gerda Steyn has backed Glenrose Xaba to win next year’s Cape Town Marathon, after confirming she will miss the race to concentrate on defending her Two Oceans and Comrades Marathon titles.

Steyn has ruled herself out of attempting all three major races, saying the schedule would make it too demanding to compete in the Two Oceans Marathon in April, the Cape Town Marathon in May and the Comrades Marathon in June.

The 100th edition of the Comrades Marathon will be held next year, making the defence of her two ultra-marathon titles Steyn’s principal objective.

“I will leave the Cape Town Marathon to Glenrose. I believe she can make us proud and win it again. I can’t do the Two Oceans, Cape Town and Comrades in the same year. Unfortunately, I have to miss the Cape Town Marathon again,” the 36-year-old told SABC Sport.

Steyn, a two-time Olympian, said the timing of the Cape Town Marathon was the main reason it no longer fitted comfortably into her racing plans.

The race was previously held in October, a period she felt allowed her to prepare more effectively. Its move to May brings it much closer to the Comrades Marathon and creates a more difficult programme for athletes targeting both events.

“When the Cape Town Marathon was in October, it worked better for me, but May is too close to the Comrades,” Steyn said.

She believes Xaba has the ability to succeed over the marathon distance and could benefit from racing more events over 42.195km.

“Glenrose is doing well and has the potential to excel in the marathon. I believe she can do well if she runs more marathons,” Steyn added.

Xaba will not run a marathon this year, but has confirmed that she intends to include one or two races over the distance in her 2027 programme.

The Cape Town Marathon is among the possible targets for Xaba as she considers how to structure that schedule. Steyn’s support comes as the younger athlete weighs a move towards a greater focus on marathon racing.

For Steyn, however, the immediate priority remains the Two Oceans Marathon and Comrades Marathon. She will attempt to defend both titles and continue her ultra-marathon career by targeting success in each of the two events.

Her decision means she will again be absent from the Cape Town Marathon, but she has made clear that the race’s position between the Two Oceans Marathon and the Comrades Marathon leaves no room for her to pursue all three in the same year.