Irvette van Zyl finds new motivation from young son with one eye on 100th Comrades Marathon
Irvette Van Zyl, inspired by her young son, continues to push through challenges as she prepares for the 100th Comrades Marathon while balancing 10km races and ultra-marathon ambitions.
During the Totalsports Women’s Race in Johannesburg, Irvette van Zyl found herself questioning her motivation when the race became difficult. However, her young son Gideon, who had just run his first provincial cross-country championship, provided her with the inspiration she needed. Van Zyl felt pride in her son's enthusiasm and determination, which helped her push through the fatigue.
She explained that she didn't want to give up on her race because she knew Gideon would be disappointed if she stopped. Her experience in pushing through adversity, despite not finishing two marathons in the Olympics, shows her resilience. Van Zyl is preparing for her 40s and is looking forward to embracing new challenges in the upcoming 40-plus category.
She remains passionate about racing shorter distances, as her love for speed informs her approach to both ultra and shorter races. Van Zyl's connection with young athletes, like Glenrose Xaba and Karabo Mailula, adds a familial aspect to her career, knowing that the sport's future is in good hands.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
