"A previous victory doesn't guarantee a future victory" - Who can challenge Steyn as Purple Team look to sweep women's 56km podium?

With a highly contested men’s race lined up for this year’s Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon powered by BYD, lovers of ultra distance running will be asking themselves if anyone can challenge Gerda Steyn on Saturday 11 April. Since taking 14th position (4:15:44) on debut in 2016, the darling of South African road running who broke her own course record to win the 2024 edition of the iconic  South African sporting and cultural event in 3:26:54 has enjoyed unparalleled success at the World’s Most Beautiful Marathon winning six times. 

“If I had to single out one, it would be crossing the finish line in first place for the very first time in 2018. It was an incredible experience and a pivotal moment in my career. It made me believe I could be a winner and showed me that my running could positively impact the community. It was overwhelming, but I remain grateful for that first win.”

Sten celebrates her sixth Totalsports Two Oceans victory in April 2025. Photo Credit: Two Oceans Media.

Steyn is likely to face her stiffest competition from her Hollywood Athletics Club teammates. Neheng Khatala has her eye on the top two after claiming third place on debut last year, while Irvette Van Zyl who has finished as runner-up to Steyn on three occasions is also back. The Four-time Olympian returns to the start line of the 2026 Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon powered by BYD, determined to turn last year’s injury heartbreak of not finishing into triumph. The Smiling Assassin says she is always ready to rise to the Two Oceans challenge.

“I don’t think about the race as something that I have won 6 times, because every year is different,” she shares. “A previous victory doesn’t guarantee a future victory, and each year, I have to put everything I have got into the preparation. I try to find ways to improve by building on previous performances. I would never allow myself to get too comfortable.”

Shemith Muruiki who finished on the podium at both the 2025 Two Oceans Ultra and the Comrades Marathon will be looking to spoil the Purple Party. Photo Credit: Thami KaQoma.

Steyn has been training at high altitude in the Mpumalanga town of Dullstroom ahead of the 2026 edition of the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon powered by BYD where she is going for an unprecedented seventh victory. As The Purple Team look to sweep the podium with Steyn, van Zyl and Khatala, the four-time comrades Marathon champion reveals that she is also driven by a strong sense of team spirit. 

“I think the Hollywood AC has already made such a huge impact in South African running. Last year, both winners were from the purple team (Steyn and Joseph Seutloali), so if we can take it up one more step and get a clean sweep on the women’s podium, it would be wonderful. But also, it would mean a lot to the 5000+ members who make the club what it is today!”

Aiming to spoil the purple party is Entsika AC’s Shelmith Muruiki. The Kenyan enjoyed a productive 2025 ultra marathon season claiming second place at the Totalsports two Oceans Marathon powered by BYD in 3:37:51 and third place at the Comrades Marathon on debut. Muruiki’s Entsika teammate Elizabeth Mukoloma of Zambia who took an impressive runner-up finish at the Africanbank Soweto Marathon (2:35:59) last November and the champion she chased into the finish line at the Nasrec Expo Centre Margaret Jepchumba of Kenya, are also expected to feature prominently on Saturday 11 April.