Van Zyl, who has won the race four times and collected R1 million in prize money, says there is no worse feeling than winning a race and not receiving your reward.

She believes Kenyan winner Margaret Jepchumba and Lesotho’s Joseph Seutloali, who are each owed R250 000, are among the most affected athletes. 

She says all runners deserve to be paid, but some were counting on the money to cover their daily living expenses.

"I think there are athletes who really need the money. I need the money as well, but there are athletes who have won the race – they owe them a lot of money. It makes a huge difference in an athlete's life – that money," said van Zyl.

"It's taking privileges away from them and contributing to the next races that they want to run because they don't have the money to feed their families now, because that was money guaranteed, and now they don't have it."

The three-time Spar Women’s 10km Grand Prix series winner believes it will take a lot for athletes to trust the Soweto Marathon organisers again.

She says the failure to pay the outstanding prize money could make elite runners think twice before entering future editions of the race. 

Van Zyl fears the situation could damage the reputation of an event that has become an important part of the country's road-running calendar.

The four-time Olympian believes the Soweto Marathon organisers missed an opportunity to settle the outstanding payments this year but instead allowed internal battles to complicate the situation.

Van Zyl says the race means much more to her than the prize money, as it brings communities together. 

However, she admits that seeing the current situation unfold has been heartbreaking.

The Hollywood Athletics Club star, who finished third at this year's Comrades Marathon, has urged fellow runners not to give up on getting their money.

Van Zyl encouraged athletes to continue sending emails to the race organisers and following up on their payments. She says she is also doing her part to ensure the runners get what they are owed.

The 39-year-old says the Soweto Marathon remains one of her favourite races despite the ongoing prize money dispute.

She admits she expected Gerda Steyn's heartfelt appeal to the organisers through SABC Sport to help speed up the payment process, believing that Steyn's standing in road running would carry significant weight. However, Van Zyl says the runners will have to wait and see what happens next.