Most South Africans will probably think twice before going to Dubai to run in 37-degrees weather. But if Steyn, who lives and works in Dubai, were to try avoid the heat, she would never run. If you're serious about running, you need to live by the famous Nike logo, 'Just do it'.
Steyn admits that the heat and humidity did take its toll on everyone while they were running. 'The conditions were tough, but I am happy with the way that my race played out. My goal was to finish in under 60 minutes, which I did – I won in 59:46. The fact that I won is certainly a great confidence booster, as it shows that I might be on track to run a good race at the Dublin Marathon.'
Steyn hopes to qualify for next year's ultra marathon in Dublin. When racing in England earlier this season she managed to improve her half-marathon time to 1:23:26.
OUTsurance KFM Gun Run
There seems to be no stopping David Manja (NRC). On Sunday, in almost perfect conditions, he won the OUTsurance KFM Gun Run in Cape Town for a second time. His winning time was 1:02:51. A record 21 000 runners turned up to compete in the 21 km and 10 km races.
Manja's NRC teammates made sure that the half-marathon turned out to be an 'all green affair'. Rutendo Nyahora (NRC) won the women's 10 km race in 34:02. Zintle Xiniwe Nontle was second, running 35:46, with Nyahora's teammate, Fortunate Chidzivo, finishing in third place in a time of 36:12.
Meiringspoort Race
It should be no surprise that the athletes of the NRC dominated the Meiringspoort 12,5 km and 21 km elite races. The 'Green Team' took 10 of the 12 podium places in the men's and women's races, almost making a clean sweep.
Two of the club's athletes came in the top three in the men's 12,5 km race, and there were two podium finishes in the women's 21 km race.
Ettienne Plaatjies won the 21 km in 1:07:10, with John April coming second in 1:10:59, and Alfonso Pieterse third in 1:12:29.
The women's half-marathon was won by Melissa van Rensburg (NRC) in a time of 1:22:04. Alexia Loizou (Temp) was second in 1:23:44, and Liza Kingston (NRC) third in 1:23:58.
Godwin Heyns (NRC) won the men's 12,5 km in a time of 41:10. Booi Salman (Oudtshoorn) finished second in 43:25, and Jerome Ferland (NRC) third in 44:22.
The women's 12,5 km race was won by Lana Theunissen in 50:58, with Brittney-Ann Meyer second in 53:02, and Joan Viljoen third in 53:23.
Jacaranda City Marathon
Lucky Mtshali (NRC) won the Jacaranda City Marathon in 2:24:30. Charles Tjiane (Maxed) was second in 2:26:10, and Pule Maeko (Rockies) third in 2:26:23.
The women's marathon was won by Jennifer Koech (NRC) with a time of 3:01:50. Lesley Austin was second in 3:08:37, and Rebecca Tebogo (NRC) third in 3:12:50.
Desomond Mogabo (Boxer) was the first to finish in the men's 10 km, with a time of 30:49. Jani Lucas (NRC) was second in 30:54, and Victor Pheeha (Moniko) third in 31:27.