South African ultramarathon athlete Gerda Steyn (34) won the 2024 Women’s Comrades Marathon (CMA) and broke her own record by finishing in 5:49:46.
The 2024 Comrades Marathon was themed ‘No doubt Nakanjani’.
Steyn is the current record holder of the Comrades uprun as well as the down run distance.
The R500 000 winner was smiling along the route while sharing her drinks with the supporters who were also happy to see her.
Steyn said although everything went according to her plan the support on the road also carried her.
“It was not easy out there, the fans carried me through, and that’s why I get so attached to them and spend a lot of time waving at them. My technical team, my club, and my family kept me focused and motivated, ” said Steyn.
This year’s 85,9 km race started at the Durban City Hall and finished at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall with 23 000 runners from South Africa and abroad.
The Comrades Association said the race had nearly 5000 volunteers, 1000 marshals, members of the South African Police Services (SAPS), 16 equipped with satellite tracking to help track them should a need arise along the route, 6 rapid response times to attend to runners in difficulty, 6 motor bikes with paramedics and 1 air rescue helicopter.
CMA Chairpeson, Mqondisi Ngcobo said they catered for the human race in every possible way to make sure that the “97th Comrades Marathon a memorable and hassle-free experience for our runners”.
Steyn will also be taking part in the Olympic Marathon in Paris on the 10th of August.
uMsunduzi Municipality Deputy Mayor Mxolisi Mkhize entered the race to inspire the youth to live healthy.
In a recent interview Mkhize said the traininhg was not easy but he remained determined. It was Mkhize’s 4th year but his goal is to run 10 Comrades Marathons.
Piet Wiersma from Netherlands won the 2024 Comrades Marathon men’s race in 5 hours and 25 min 00 sec.