'I learnt a huge lesson' - Madziva pleased to have Steyn at Purple Team as she seeks Comrades redemption
Hollywood Athletics Club elite athlete Loveness Madziva is confident that Gerda Steyn's introduction to the team will have benefits for all the club's top runners, especially the women. Two weeks ago (15 January) The Purple Team unveiled the five-time Two Oceans champion and three-time Comrades Marathon winner as their newest member in a bold bid to strengthen the women's ultra marathon team.
Madziva, who obtained a third place finish at last year's Totalsports Two Oceans race in a spirited 3:38:00 behind her teammates Irvette Van Zyl and overall winner Steyn, says she is pleased to see the two-time Olympian dressed in purple as it will elevate the entire club's performance.
"I'm very happy to see Gerda joining Hollywood. She is a phenomenal runner and an amazing person. Her passion for running is something I cannot explain as she keeps on improving with each year," said Madziva, who is under the tutelage of coach Mdu Khumalo.
"I think as a club, this move will help us in terms of our performance too. She is good at delivering good performances, but to be in a same club a her will help me because I can ask for advice and tips. Before, I couldn't do that because I didn't know how she would take it. Now it's going to be easy. If you remember during Comrades last year, I ran with her for some time, but I was afraid to ask anything. Overall, I have a huge respect for her because she is strong and powerful," she told #TheTopRunner.
Besides earning a gold medal over 56km at Two Oceans, Madziva had an outstanding 2024 year. The 34-year-old Zimbabwean top runner started the year on a high note winning the Runfied City 50km in a decent time of 3:22:49. In late April, she earned second at the Prince Mangosuthu 52km race (3:22:38) and then took 13th spot at Comrades in 6:34:27. Madziva has set her sights on replicating last season's top form.
"Since December, I'm yet to rest as I have been training hard to get the preparations for this year in full swing. I have lost some weight in between which is a good thing. The main focus is going to be Two Oceans and Comrades. I know I ran well at Two Oceans so I aim to run. a better time. In Comrades, I missed out to be in the top 10 which was painful after running well for the most of the race. I have learnt a huge lesson from that performance and I'm aiming to deliver this time around."
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