He was also a four-time winner of the 25-kilometre race and a one-time champion of the 800 metres distance at the Dutch Championships.

In his junior time, he became Dutch javelin throw champion and won a silver medal in the pole vault event.

Afterwards he specialised in the middle distance running events and obtained his first success when becoming Dutch 800 metres champion in 1961.

As a result of his regular endurance training sessions, Steylen started to give preference to long distance running.

He decided to try to run the marathon, but his first acquaintance with this event ended up in a disappointment, as he finished the race in 2 hours and 45 minutes.