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SA’s top ultra-marathon runner Gerda Steyn.
South Africa’s top ultra-marathon runner Gerda Steyn says she definitely feels there’s a target on her back in Sunday’s Comrades Marathon from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.
Steyn chalked up a hat trick last year by finishing first in three consecutive Comrades Marathons, setting new records for both the up and down runs the past two years.
However, Steyn says it won’t be easy to set a new record this year.
With the 89.9 kilometre route being a bit longer this year than in 2023, she has calculated she would need to run the race 8 minutes faster.
Steyn says she is up against a very good field this year, but don’t experience the pressure as a challenge.
“When it comes to me versus the competition, there’s always going to that target on my back where it’s not about the supporters and anyone watching the race, but it’s the actual competition. That to me, I feel like we are athletes, we are professionals, yes, but we are also entertainers. So, the race, if there’s a little bit of strategy and tactics involved it makes for great watching and it brings a little bit of life into our sport. And that is also something that I love when I watch sport.”
What an incredible moment!
Just as the team was about to place Gerda Steyn’s plaque at the Wall of Honour, she arrived just in time to place her own plaque. She earned it, and she placed it among the greats.#ComradesMarathon #Comrades2025 #TheUltimateHumanRace #MoreThanARace… pic.twitter.com/HDDMapF1j7
— ComradesRace (@ComradesRace) June 2, 2025
Meanwhile, Dominika Stelmach from Poland – who had top 10 finishes in all 4 of her previous Comrades marathons – explains why she keeps coming back to run this iconic South African race.
“Yes, I think as the competition. Because we don’t have many competitive race now. I would love to take part in all those 50 or 100 world championships, but they are not often. And Comrades is every tear and all the best ultra-athletes are here. So, yes, I am also here.”
