Steyn's love for Comrades Marathon 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.

- ROWAN CALLAGHAN

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.