Gerda Steyn, the favourite for the women’s Comrades Marathon title, is focusing on her mindset and preparation in Dullstroom. Picture: Gerda Steyn/Facebook
Image: Gerda Steyn/Facebook
It’s the calm before the storm, the week of the Comrades Marathon, and Gerda Steyn is trying to slow down her thoughts as race day draws ever closer.
Steyn is the overwhelming favourite to win the women’s title, as she is hunting her fourth win in a row, and fifth overall.
From spending six weeks in France to pile on the altitude and hill training, to spending her taper in Dullstroom - Steyn will be well-prepared as ever for the Ultimate Human Race.
With the up run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg now less than a week away, it’s all about mindset for Steyn.
“Not long to go!! Luckily, here in Dullstroom, time passes by a little bit slower,” said Steyn on Facebook.
“The days leading up to Comrades always feel like being on an airport in between flights:
“You’re nearly there;
You question whether you’ve packed in too little or too much;
It’s not particularly enjoyable;
“But you know it’s worth it for the adventure that’s waiting on the other side!!!”
Last week, Steyn posted a video on Facebook alongside a group of other fast men’s runners, including fellow Comrades champions Tete Dijana (2022, 2023, 2025) and Edward Mothibi (2019).
Pictured along a sand road, the 40-second clip showed the runners going through their paces, starting out slowly before working up to full race speed.
The video ends with a few photos, including Steyn sharing a lighter moment with her peers.
When Steyn returned from France, she squeezed in some training in Tshwane before it was off to Dullstroom.