Gerda Steyn Eyes Historic Fifth Comrades Marathon Win

When 20,000 runners line up in Durban this Sunday, one woman will be chasing a piece of history that seemed impossible just seven years ago.

Gerda Steyn, known as the "Smiling Assassin," is targeting her fifth Comrades Marathon victory and fourth consecutive win at the legendary 87-kilometer ultramarathon. Only one woman in history has won more: Russian runner Elena Nurgalieva, who claimed eight titles before Steyn's era began.

Since 2019, Steyn has rewritten the record books. She became the first woman to break the six-hour barrier on the challenging "up run" course, finishing in 5:58:53.

In 2023, she destroyed a 30-year-old record by nine minutes. Then in 2024, she shattered her own record again with a stunning 5:49:46.

"I just focus on myself, on the training, the preparation, being 110% ready on race day," Steyn said. "I've always known there's a target on my back, but I've never allowed that to faze me."

Her path to history looks promising. This year's course is the shortest in recent memory at 85.777 kilometers, giving her a real shot at breaking her own record again.

Steyn arrives fresh off her seventh consecutive Two Oceans ultramarathon victory in April. Rather than feeling tired, she says winning energizes her for the next challenge.

The men's race tells a different story of tight competition. South African Tete Dijana has won three times but never conquered the "up run," cramping badly to 14th place last year.

His rival, Dutchman Piet Wiersma, won in 2024 after losing to Dijana by just three seconds in 2023 and five seconds in 2025. Their battles have become the stuff of legend, with both men pushing each other to new heights.

The Bright Side: Beyond the elite drama, this race represents something bigger. The Comrades Marathon has grown from a small memorial race to an event that draws 20,000 everyday runners chasing their own impossible dreams alongside the champions.

Former winners like Edward Mothibi show the sport's evolution, focusing now on top-10 finishes rather than victory. "Times change and competition is high," he said, embodying the growth mindset that makes ultrarunning special.

The field includes runners from around the world, including world champion Aleksandr Sorokin making his Comrades debut. These aren't just athletes competing; they're ambassadors proving that with dedication and heart, ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things.

When the starting gun fires this Sunday, thousands will chase their own records while Steyn chases history.