Gerda Steyn’s latest record-breaking feat at the Comrades Marathon Up Run, has once again emphasized her astounding talent as a distance runner.
Steyn (34) smashed her own Up Run record by winning the iconic 85.91 km ultra marathon in 5 hours 49 minutes and 46 seconds. She will be rewarded with just over two million Rand in prize money for her efforts.
Russian Alexandra Murozova (06:05:12), the 2022 Comrades champion, crossed the finish line at the Scottsville Race Course in Pietermaritzburg in a distant second place with American Courtney Olsen (06:08:09) finishing in third position.
The women’s standard marathon event over 42.2km takes place in Paris on Sunday, 11 August 2024.
The critics argue that Steyn would not be able to recover sufficiently from the grueling Comrades to be a her best for the Olympic Marathon.
The golden girl of South African road running is however currently in the form of her life. With meticulous planning of her training routine, she is confident that she will be more than ready to represent her country at the global showpiece in Paris.
When asked about obliterating the record once again, she said: “Honesty, I am speechless today. It is the best day of my life. It was just a blessing to be here. I would like to thank everyone who played a part, who supported me and helped me to get here. I was carrying South Africa in my thoughts today from the start to finish, they carried me.”
Steyn says she felt that her plan worked really well.
“I am quite particular when it comes to planning because I know where I want to be at a certain spot. There was never really a time in the race where I wasn’t on plan. With two kilometers to go, I saw that I had to sprint to make it under 05:50. I just made it, so it’s just an extra bonus and I am very happy with that.”
The South African Marathon record-holder of 2hr 24min 03sec set in Valencia, Spain last year, is fully aware that she will be entering uncharted territory by also attempting the Olympic Marathon, but she feels she is ready to take up the challenge of improving on her 15th place finish at the previous Olympic Games in Sapporo in Japan in 2021.
“I know nobody has ever attempted running Comrades and the Olympic marathon in the same year.
“Standing here today, I feel it’s a platform for me to encourage people to go after difficult things. It builds your character and brings smiles to so many people.
“I am happy about my choice and I am going to work so hard to be ready on the 11 August to represent South Africa in the best way that I can to make my country proud,” added Steyn.
In the men’s race Piet Wiersma crossed the finish line first in 05:25.01 , winning his maiden Comrades title.
South African Dan Moselakwe finished runner-up with a time of 5:25.45, while Degefa Yohannese Lafebo rounded up the podium in 5:27.49.
