From the news desk

Two Oceans Marathon and Comrades runner Gerda Steyn Victorious in Italy

Share this article

All smiles crossing the finish line in rainy conditions in Italy, Gerda Steyn Two Oceans and Comrades Marathon runner breaks Collen De Reuck’s SA Marathon record as she finishes an incredible personal best of 2hr 25 min 28 sec in ninth position at the Xiamen Marathon and Tuscany Elite Camp Global Elite Race in Siena, Italy. Another outstanding performance for South Africa, coming in strong was Irvette Van Zyl who ended in 13th position in 2hr 28min 28sec to become the 13th South African athlete to obtain a qualifying standard for the Tokyo Olympics.

Born on the 3rd of March in 1990, Gerda Steyn is having a bliss with her long-distance running career. Her age gives her a career advantage packed with a blast of energy. She is an advocate of big dreams, humble life, and hard work for young people. Gerda Steyn has always been in a class of her own smashing a Comrades record and becoming the first female to break six hours an up run. After a fast start by Ann Ashworth (2018 Down Run winner) and Camille Herron (defending Up Run champion), Steyn takes the lead early on and no one comes close to keeping up with her.

Gerda Steyn is the only female who is able to run eight splits under 4:30min/km. Her highest world ranking discipline was placed in 243 and for the duration of 1 week.

After completing her first Comrades in 2015, she met 1991 winner Nick Bester who became her coach. Her first major career victory was in 2018 Two Oceans Marathon in a time of 3hr 39min 32sec. She set the Comrades Marathon up-run record in 2019 with a mark of 5hr 58min 53 sec and becoming the first woman under 6 hours for that race. Her best time for a standard marathon was 2hr 26min 52sec achieved in the 2020 London Marathon.
Current World Rankings
Women’s Marathon
Place 270
Scores 1148

Women’s Overall Ranking
Place 1063
Scores 1156

Women’s Road Running
Place 131
Scores 1136

Both Gerda Steyn and Irvette van Zyl qualified for the Olympics and were initially headed to compete at the Hamburg Marathon. The tournament since then has been postponed.

Source: Fatima Said


Share this article
WhatsApp WhatsApp us
Wait a sec, saving restore vars.