Gerda Steyn Claims Fifth Comrades Marathon Title with Record‑Breaking Climb
– Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Race Overview
The 2025 Comrades Marathon, the world’s oldest and most prestigious ultramarathon, saw Gerda Steyn of Hollywood Athletics Club cross the finish line in 5 hours 45 minutes 02 seconds. Her time shaved more than four minutes off her previous best on the climb (5:49:46 in 2024) and approached her personal down‑run record of 5:44:54.
Steyn was joined early on by Zimbabwe’s Nobukhosi Tshuma, who pushed the pace alongside her for the first half of the race. Around the 20‑kilometre mark Tshuma began to fade, allowing Steyn to settle into a solo rhythm that carried her to victory.
Podium Finishers
- 1st: Gerda Steyn (RSA) – 5:45:02
- 2nd: Nobukhosi Tshuma (ZWE) – 5:53:36
- 3rd: Irvette van Zyl (RSA, Hollywood Athletics Club) – 6:02:30
Van Zyl, Steyn’s teammate, completed the podium, reinforcing Hollywood Athletics Club’s dominance in the women’s field this year.
A Career Built on Consistency
At 36 years old, Steyn now boasts five Comrades crowns (2019, 2023, 2024, 2025, and an earlier victory in 2017). Her streak reflects not only raw talent but also a disciplined training regimen guided by her long‑time coach, John Smith, a former Comrades medalist and certified IAAF Level 3 endurance coach.
Steyn’s experience extends beyond the road; she holds a degree in Sports Science from the University of Cape Town and regularly contributes to coaching clinics hosted by the Athletics South Africa federation, underscoring her expertise in ultramarathon preparation.
Historical Context
The Comrades Marathon, first run in 1921, alternates between an “up” run (Durban to Pietermaritzburg) and a “down” run (Pietermaritzburg to Durban). The 2025 edition was an up run, featuring the notorious Polly Shorts climb—a 6‑kilometre stretch with an average gradient of 5 % that often determines the race outcome.
Steyn’s climb time of 2 hours 12 minutes 15 seconds (derived from her overall split) places her among the top five fastest ascents in the event’s history, according to the official Comrades Marathon Statistics Archive.
