Astonishing Gerda Steyn is that rare athlete who comes around once in a generation

She is South Africa's queen of the ultramarathon and she’s ageing like fine wine

- By Keanan Hemmonsbey

Gerda Steyn’s Two Oceans ultramarathon victory on 5 April was nothing short of spectacular as she beat second-placed Shelmith Muriuki from Kenya by more than eight minutes.

As usual, Steyn (35) crossed the finishing line at the University of Cape Town with a broad smile on her face and it only grew bigger as the final steps of the gargantuan task she had undertaken grew closer.

Steyn’s race was tactical and executed to perfection, leaving her competitors in the dust throughout the picturesque 56km trek around Cape Town.

But for those watching every stride of South Africa’s greatest woman ultramarathon runner to date, there was first a sense of anticipation and then a hint of disappointment at her crossing the finishing line in 3:29:10. Yes, she had claimed a record-extending sixth consecutive Two Oceans ultramarathon win, but she didn’t improve the record times she had set the previous three times she had completed the race.

It’s a disappointment that has been built up by the incredibly high standard Steyn has set. Her talents have transcended the expectations of simply winning the Two Oceans and people expect records.

But that’s an expectation of those on the outside, who perhaps aren't able to comprehend the level of achievement Steyn continues to reach year after year.

For context, her 2025 Two Oceans time of 3:29:10 has only been run faster by a woman athlete on two occasions, and both times it was Steyn that did it. She finished in a rapid 3:29:06 in 2023 and set the record of 3:26:54 last year.

Steyn is also the only woman to date to have completed the Two Oceans ultramarathon in under three and a half hours. She’s done so four times.

A happy accident