Search

RUN247 / Running News / Comrades Marathon: Gerda Steyn eyes second record

Comrades Marathon: Gerda Steyn eyes second record

Olly Green
Reporter
Updated on

With the 2023 Comrades Marathon fast approaching, attention turns to the start list and potential favourites for one of the toughest ultra running races in the world.

This year is a ‘down’ race with an official race distance of 87.7km – the current women’s record was set by British runner set by Frith Van der Merwe in 1989, when she ran a 5:54:43.

But is this the year that record will finally be broken? While the men’s field features the 2022 winner, a packed women’s race sees one competitor tipped for greatness as runners gun for an array of prizes.

Advertisement

Steyn seeks history

Gerda Steyn already has the ‘up’ women’s record, a 5:58:53 set in 2019, but now she has the chance to secure the ‘down’ record to go along with it.

She did not compete last year, focusing on the New York Marathon, but found time to take another of Van der Merwe’s long-standing records when she ran Two Oceans 2022 in a time of 3:29:45 – this year she returns to seek the Comrades title once more.

Gerda Steyn at the 2019 Comrades Marathon
Gerda Steyn at the 2019 Comrades Marathon. [Photo credit: Comrades Marathon]

She’ll face competition from another previous winner, Ann Ashworth who won in a time of 6:10:03 in 2018.

Adele Broodryk, a Nedbank runner, came third on her Comrades debut last year and will be another strong contender – she has now won the Om Die Dam Marathon two years in a row after picking up the 2023 title.

Advertisement

No Herron

American ultrarunner Camille Herron was set to be one of the biggest names running at the race – she won the Comrades Marathon in 2017 and is a true legend of the ultrarunning scene.

This year she has already set the 48-hour record for the furthest distance ran on track, but she has pulled out of the Comrades Marathon as she wants to fully focus on Western States later this month.

Russian Alexandra Morozova was last year’s winner in the absence of Steyn, but she’ll be hoping she can prove she can win even with the favourite present. She previously finished second in 2017 and 2019, while she came third in 2018. 2022 runner-up, Poland’s Dominika Stelmach, also returns.

Ireland’s Caitriona Jennings is another notable name. She earnt the final spot on the podium in 2019 and the Donegal woman has a score of impressive podium finishes over the past year.

Olly Green
Written by
Olly Green
Olly is the content lead for RUN247, is a regular contributor to TRI247 and keeps an eye out for content that appeals to both audiences including interviews with pro Heather Jackson.

Latest Running News

John Kelly start Barkley Marathons 2023 photo credit: Davidmillerphotography_ on Instagram
‘Please don’t call me a hero’ – John Kelly honours the fallen on Memorial Day as he starts Appalachian Trail
Shaunna Burke is taking on the Everest Marathon
Researcher with incurable cancer tackles Everest again and the world’s highest marathon
Women top five Zegama 2025 photo credit GTWS
A ‘dream’ for Sara Alonso and ‘historic’ for Elhousine Elazzaoui – Zegama stirs the emotions again
Sara Alonso wins Zegama 2025 photo credit GTWS
Zegama-Aizkorri 2025 results: Statement wins from Elhousine Elazzaoui and Sara Alonso
Stephanie Case wins UTMB Snowdonia 2025 photo credit UTMB
Ultrarunner who went viral after remarkable Snowdonia win hopes to inspire other new mums
trail running on your terms

Never miss out with our trail alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.

The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...