2023 THE RECORD THAT COULDN'T BE BROKEN

Gerda Steyn knew she had to trust in herself more than ever to break one of the oldest records in South African running.

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GERDA STEYN IS THE TYPE OF RUNNER WHO COMES AROUND ONLY ONCE IN A GENERATION.

With her languid running style and cheerful smile, the six-time Two Oceans champion and three-time Comrades victor has dominated local ultra-distance races since 2019. Besides her wins, she's established SA records in everything from the standard marathon to Two Oceans and Comrades, and seems to get stronger each year.

Much like her fan base. She is reputedly the highest-paid athlete in South Africa, and a marketer's dream, with a large, engaged social media following that adores her every post.

Steyn is much like former Queen of Comrades Frith van der Merwe. Like Steyn, Van der Merwe was as famous for how she carried herself in races and beyond the finish line as she was for her athletic exploits. And for years, it seemed as if Van der Merwe's legacy would never be challenged.

Steyn changed all that. In 2019 she blitzed the Comrades 'Up' record in 5:58.38 to become the first woman to break six hours for the 'Up' run. Her pace over the final 10km of that race was only bettered by a handful of the elite men, and she was the second-fastest overall up the legendary Polly Shortts climb.