Gerda Steyn claimed her fifth Comrades Marathon title in record time, setting a new up-run record, in the race from Durban to Pietermaritzburg. Photo: Sibonelo Ngcobo Independent Media
Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo Independent Media
Gerda Steyn stormed to victory in record time in the Comrades Marathon women’s race from Durban to Pietermaritzburg on Sunday.
Steyn set a new up-run record as she crossed the line in a time of 5:44:53. It was the fourth title in a row for Steyn, and her fifth win overall in the Ultimate Human Race.
Taking second was Nobukhosi Tshuma in a time of 5:53:36, followed by Irvette van Zyl in third in 6:02:30.
Steyn finally edged ahead at the four-hour mark, as she broke away from Nobukhosi Tshuma.
Since her breakthrough win in 2019, Steyn has stood undefeated every single time she has lined up for this race. (The event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid pandemic, and she opted out of the ultra-marathon distance in 2022 to focus on shorter distances.)
Steyn also asserted her dominance earlier this year in April, cruising to a convincing victory at the Two Oceans Marathon to secure her seventh consecutive title at South Africa's second-biggest running event.
In the men’s race, George Kusche reeled off a stunning breakthrough performance to set a new up-run record.
Kusche crossed the line a record time of 5:16:06 after a perfectly paced run in which he only took the lead with less than an hour to go of the race. With a 2:13 marathon personal best (PB), Kusche has made the perfect progression to emerge triumphant in the Ultimate Human Race.
Piet Wiersma was second 5:19:45 (unofficial time), with Mbuti Mollo taking third in 5:21:40 (unofficial time).
Coming into the race, the men’s field has no clear favourite, promising a thrilling, unpredictable battle.