COMRADES MARATHON: Record-breaking Gerda Steyn targets Olympic Games glory after unbelievable year on South African roads

Steyn, who has dominated the road-running space for the past few years, continued with her unbeatable form when she smashed her Up Run record to win the Comrades Marathon on Sunday.

The 34-year-old reached the finish line in Pietermaritzburg in a time of 5:49:46, bettering her 2019 time of 5:58:53 by almost 10 minutes.

Her closest rival, Alexandra Morozova of Russia came in at 6:05:12 on Sunday while US’ Courtney Olsen settled for third spot with the time of 6:08:09.

Early this year, the Phantane Athletics Club runner broke her other record at the Two Oceans Marathon.  

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Speaking to the media after the Comrades, Steyn described Sunday as the best day of her life.  

“At the start of each year, I sit down to write my goals and plans, but as an athlete, so many things can influence that,” Steyn told the press conference.

“So many things have to go correct and according to the plan for you to perform at a level you want to do or even to be at the starting line of the races you want to do.

“Therefore, to be here today after the Two Oceans and now after the Comrades, I can’t say anything other than that I’m so humble and grateful for the year I’ve had.

“I’ve been able to build on last year, which I thought was my best year,” she said.

Having continued to boss the domestic scenes, Steyn is focused on taking her magic to the international stage.

She has been selected to represent SA at the Olympic Games in Paris, France scheduled to start on July 26.

“This year I set myself a different challenge, I’m sure it’s never been done before for an athlete to do the Comrades and the Olympics in the same year,” Steyn said.

“It’s a big challenge that I have set myself to do, and I was very fortunate to be selected to have the chance to go to the Olympic Games.

“I’m fully committed to doing my absolute best and making everyone proud when I line up to represent South Africa in the green and gold.”

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Being the meticulous planner she is, Steyn has already studied the course of the Olympic marathon and strongly believes in her chances.

“I feel like it’s completely possible. I’ve done similar time frames before in terms of racing, so I feel quite confident. I’ve already planned, and my training (schedule) is set out,” she said.

“The race at the Olympics is quite hilly as well, which I feel like it will count in my favour with the training that I’ve done for the Olympics, for the Comrades and the Two Oceans.

“I feel like my stamina and long endurance ability at the moment is where I want to be.”

Steyn holds both records for Up Run and Down Run in the Comrades.