Gerda Steyn’s love for the Comrades shines through in her latest victory

Gerda Steyn is hoping to extend her Comrades Marathon love affair as long as her body allows it, fans of the darling of SA road running – and the Ultimate Human Race in particular – will be delighted to hear.

Her love for the Comrades was evident once again as the ‘Smiling Assassin’ sprinkled her infectious fairy dust all along the route on her way to a third title in a row in Sunday’s down run.

It was definitely reciprocated at the finish line on the streets outside People’s Park in Durban. The chants of "Gerda! Gerda! Gerda!" grew ever louder as the diminutive road running star drew closer to the finish.

The cheers that greeted her when she breasted the tape in the 98th edition of the race were arguably among the loudest on the day, with hundreds of delirious well-wishers banging on the advertising hoardings lining the finish in a celebratory cacophony.

Gerda responded by waving at her adoring fans, the ever-present smile lighting up her face despite being in obvious pain. She had to dig deep at the end of the race, but pulled through in typical fashion, carried to victory by the raucous support.

“It was an amazing feeling so close to the finish line,” she told Independent Media, after the race.

"You’ve run for many, many hours and trained for many, many months and then finally to get to the finishing straight knowing that you’re going to break the tape, is a moment that’s difficult to explain in words."

Steyn made her observations as a special guest of detergent brand OMO's Stay Unbeatable campaign.

“This race stands out for me even more above the other Comrades that I’ve done. Every year it just feels like it gets bigger and more special and it creeps even deeper under my skin.”

The 35-year-old Steyn crossed the finish line in 5:51:10, to bag her fourth title, following her maiden victory back in 2019. Russia’s Alexandra Morozova, a former winner, finished in second (5:55:56). Fellow South African Tete Dijana won the men's race.

With the job done for another year, SA’s ultramarathon queen is looking forward to putting her feet up.

“When it comes to my diet, I have to be strict and particular when I’m training and before a race as well. So, I definitely look forward to treating myself a little bit after the race.

“If there’s two items that stand out for me, what I’m looking forward to the most, perhaps a glass of red wine and a big ice cream,” she revealed.

“Normally the dust settles after about a week and after that I will definitely be enjoying a nice break both for the body and for the mind. I plan to spend it with friends and family and just relax and get strong for the next challenge.”

Steyn revealed she is hoping to run another marathon at the end of the year, while being wary of overextending herself.

“It is always tempting because there’s so many amazing races around the country and around the world. So, it’s difficult to say no to many races – I love racing – but for me I’ve seen in the past it works really well if I plan my racing calendar with about three races a year,” she said.

“I’m hoping to run the Soweto Marathon because I’ve never done that before.”

None of the races will ever take the place of the Ultimate Human Race in Gerda’s heart, however.

“Comrades, to me, means so much more than a race. It’s where I found my passion for running and my passion in life as well.

"It became so close to my heart that I decided to make this into my career. I have almost based my entire running career around the Comrades,” she said.

“I try to show how much it means to me in the way I run. I try to stay grateful and to stay humble, and try to share the passion and the joy that I feel.”

The crowds clearly feed off that, and their love for the pocket rocket only fuels Gerda’s desire to keep going.

“It has definitely made me more determined than ever to come back next year, and the year after, and the year after that for as long as my body allows me to,” she said.

That news will probably be greeted by more loud cheers.