Steyn confident as she targets 'tenth big win' at 98th Comrades Marathon

With less than 48 hours to go till the start of the 2025 Comrades Marathon, the road running public is a buzz as people predict try to predict the outcome. In the women's race though, all eyes are on Gerda Steyn to scoop a third consecutive Comrades title and the fourth of her astonishing ultra marathon career. The 35-year-old Hollywood Athletics Club top runner describes the feeling of breasting the Comrades finish tape as an incredible moment adding that having the support of the nation is a huge privilege and honour. 

"I have done races internationally and I have represented South Africa at the Olympics but nothing comes close to running the Comrades Marathon. It's goes a long way beyond a feeling of crossing the finish line in first place. To have the country behind you and wanting you to succeed makes me feel that my performance makes a difference to many people's lives," said the darling of South African road running. 

Steyn's preparations for the 98th running of the Comrades Marathon included victory at the Vaal Marathon in February in a new course record 2:40:47 where she claimed fifth position overall. Photo Credit: Vaal Marathon.

For Steyn who has won the Totalsports Two Oceans on a record six occasions, she has a chance to become the first woman in 12 years to secure a hat-trick of Comrades victories. 8-time Comrades champion Elena Nurgalieva was the last to achieve that feat thanks to a streak of four straight wins between 2010 and 2013. Steyn says she has huge respect for the Russian who never finished below third position in the 13 Comrades races she took part in.

"When I look at ladies like Elena who came every single year and performed well, it always motivates me. I'm sure each year in press conference, they were asking her about the strong field. But each year she came to win the race so that alone it very inspiring," explains Steyn who holds a marathon personal best time of 2:24:03 set at the 2023 Valencia Marathon. 

Steyn celebrates a record sixth straight victory at the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon in April. Photo Credit: Totalsports Two Oceans Media.

"It's very difficult to think about eight or nine times like Bruce Fordyce. It's an incredible feat for someone to achieve that in their career. I have been privileged over the years that I have managed to complete in the Two Oceans Marathon as well. So I look at it as going for my tenth big win with this Comrades," she said.

And if The Smiling Assassin as she is affectionately known, can win then there will be the inevitable questions about whether or not she can break a Comrades course record for a third straight year. Steyn pointed out that the 89.98km route this year is roughly 2km longer than the course that produced her record Down Run record of of 5:44:54 in 2023. But she remains positive regardless. 

"Looking at the training and preparation that I have done, I'm 100 percent satisfied with it. I'm ready to run faster that I did in the past. At the same time, I must respect the race especially with the extra 2km added on the course. That would make it difficult to have fast time not for me but to all the runners," she concluded.