Adam Lipschitz turned pre-race confidence into a record-breaking performance at the OUTsurance Gun Run Half Marathon, while Irvette van Zyl marked her return to the race with a convincing victory.
Lipschitz had made no secret of his ambition before Sunday’s 21.1km race, arriving in Cape Town determined to attack the course record.
Lipschitz, who won the Gun Run 10km in 2025, controlled the early stages with a series of fartlek-style surges before making the decisive move with about 19km remaining.
The acceleration proved decisive as he broke clear of his rivals and maintained his momentum to the finish.
Seutloali finished second in 1:02:53, with Hollywood teammate Tsépo Ramashamole completing the podium in 1:03:13.
Former Gun Run 21.1km winner Lloyd Bosman of Nedbank Running Club SWD was fourth in 1:03:28, while local athlete Anthony Timoteus finished fifth in 1:04:06.
For Lipschitz, the performance also provided valuable race-specific preparation as he continues building towards the marathon distance.
The women’s race produced another significant performance as Irvette van Zyl returned to the Gun Run Half Marathon after a seven-year absence and claimed victory in 1:14:03.
The 39-year-old Hollywood Athletics Club runner finished nearly three minutes clear of defending champion and clubmate Busisiwe Chamane, who crossed the line in 1:17:24.
Former Gun Run champion Fortunate Chidzivo of Nedbank Running Club WP was third in 1:18:23.
Van Zyl said the conditions and altered route made the race challenging.
“Today’s race was a bit tough. It was really humid because yesterday it rained,” she said.
She also had to adapt to a course that had changed significantly since her previous appearance in 2019.
“There’s a lot of up and down sidewalks and we had a bit of a cobblestone stage we actually run on,” Van Zyl said.
A two-kilometre hill also disrupted her rhythm.
“I would have hoped to run closer to 73, but I just couldn’t get my rhythm going the first 12-ish kilometres,” she said.
Her race improved after the climb, when she returned to the road and later reached the promenade.
“Overall I’m happy with today and happy with the win,” Van Zyl said.
She believes there is scope for a faster performance should she return, having now experienced the revised course.
“Hopefully when I return I can run faster than that, because then I will know what is ahead.”
The Hollywood weekend had already produced a strong result in Saturday’s 10km, where veteran Stephen Mokoka, 41, won in 29:36.
Hollywood AC veteran Stephen Mokoka won the Gun Run 10km on Saturday on debut.
Awethu Ntsotho of Athletes Academy in Boland was second in 29:49, while Eersterivier AC junior Beautin Van der Westhuizen finished third in 30:02.
Russian-born Stellenbosch-based athlete Olga Firsova, 43, won the women’s 10km in 35:17, ahead of Yandiswa Shange (38:12) and Nadia Turton (39:08).
For Lipschitz, the Gun Run provided a record to celebrate. For Van Zyl, it offered a successful return and a glimpse of faster days ahead.
Irvette van Zylreturns to the OUTsurance Gun Run this weekend after a seven-year absence, with the four-time Olympian targeting another fast performance on the Cape Town course where she produced one of the event’s most notable runs.
Van Zyl will contest Sunday’s 21.1km Half Marathon, while fellow Hollywood Athletics Clubathlete Stephen Mokoka lines up in Saturday’s 10km, where the 41-year-old veteran enters as one of the leading contenders.
Van Zyl’s last appearance at the Gun Run came in 2019, when she won the women’s half-marathon in 1:12:11.
The performance was particularly impressive given that Van Zyl had undergone significant surgery earlier that year before returning to top form.
Seven years later, she is looking forward to tackling the course again.
“I’m quite excited,” Van Zyl said.
“This is the first time I will be back running it since 2019. I knew I wanted to go back but never had the chance. So yeah, just excited everything worked out this year that I can go and run it.”
The 30-year-old knows the course well and remains fond of its combination of challenge and scenery.
“I like the route. It has a bit of a tough hill in it and yeah, it’s just nice views running it and it’s almost a great atmosphere running in Cape Town and going through C point at the finish.”
Van Zyl has set herself a realistic target rather than chasing her 2019 performance at all costs.
“I’m hoping for close to that time that I did run in 2019. So anything under 73 I’ll be very happy with, but the weather also has to play with. So we’ll see.”
For the South African marathoner, the significance of her return extends beyond the stopwatch.
“But yeah, I’m just excited to be healthy and be running and just be back after seven years of absence and really looking forward to it.”
While Van Zyl will be chasing another strong performance over 21.1km, Mokoka will be aiming to make an immediate impact on his Gun Run debut.
The former South African 10km record holder boasts a 27:38 personal best, recorded in Manchester in 2015, as well as a 59:36 half-marathon best and a 2:06 marathon personal best.
His longevity remains one of the defining features of his career. Mokoka is a four-time Olympian and has represented South Africa at five World Championships.
His 2026 season has also demonstrated that his speed remains intact, including a sub-29-minute performance at the Hollywoodbets Durban 10km.
Last year’s Gun Run 10km winner, Adam Lipschitz, has moved up to the half-marathon this year, where he will target the course record.
That leaves Mokoka as the leading name in the 10km field, although several Cape Town-based athletes will be hoping to disrupt his winning plans.
The weekend therefore offers Hollywood Athletics Club two experienced international performers with very different objectives.
For Van Zyl, it is a long-awaited return to a course where she has already left her mark.
For Mokoka, it is an opportunity to add a Gun Run victory to an already decorated distance-running career.
In just over a week, Cape Town will come alive as thousands of athletes hit the streets for the 30th OUTsurance Gun Run – a must-do event on South Africa’s sporting calendar. This year, Under Armour, known for pushing the limits in athletic gear, is stepping up as the official technical sponsor, and they’ve chosen the UA Infinite Elite as the race’s official shoe.
Whether you’re tackling the 21km half marathon, the 17km trail run, or just enjoying the 5km fun run, there’s something for every runner. And with the stunning backdrop of Cape Town’s iconic scenery, participants are in for a real treat. Lacing up the UA Infinite Elite means runners can expect top-notch comfort, peak performance, and a sleek look as they chase their personal bests
Winning isn’t just about hard work and determination—it also comes down to the gear you’ve got on your feet. Over the past decade, we’ve seen a real shift in running technology, with advancements in shoes helping athletes push their limits like never before.
Under Armour has been leading the charge, focusing on perfecting the weight, cushioning, and flexibility of their shoes to elevate every run. Their latest creation, the UA Infinite Elite, is all about helping athletes break boundaries and chase new goals. At its core, Under Armour’s mission is simple: make runners better. They back athletes with the drive and determination to not just compete but to win.
Here’s the lowdown on the upcoming OUTsurance Gun Run:
Starting and finishing in Mouille Point, Cape Town, the Gun Run on the 14th and 15th of September is your chance to chase personal glory and better health. Whether you’re going for the 21km half marathon, the 17km trail run, the 10km run/walk, or even the 5km fun run or pet walk, having the right shoes makes all the difference.
Under Armour says: “To get to the next level, every athlete needs endurance and conditioning. That takes year-round effort, but also the right gear. Our Infinite Elites are built to help you run to win. The rest is up to you.”
The official race shoe – Under Armour Infinite Elite:
With HOVR Plus technology in the midsole, these shoes are softer, lighter, and built to last. The warm knit upper provides support for your heel and midfoot, while ensuring breathability to keep your feet cool with every stride. Plus, the beaded foam on top delivers excellent cushioning and energy return, making them perfect for both intense training and competitive races.
At the end of the day, Under Armour believes it’s all about mindset: “You are your greatest competition. Pushing past your limits isn’t just a skill, it’s a mentality. That’s what we design for—and why our athletes always run to win.”
