Comrades Marathon results: Gerda Steyn produces another ultrarunning masterclass in South Africa

Gerda Steyn claimed a record-breaking fourth victory in South Africa’s Comrades Marathon on Sunday as she once again reigned supreme on home soil.

More than 20,000 runners took part in the 89km ‘down’ run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, but most spectators only had eyes for one as the 35-year-old home hero produced another masterclass to take the tape.

In the process Gerda became the first South African woman to win this iconic race on four occasions – she is now second only to seven-time winner Elena Nurgalieva for the number of women’s titles won.

Steyn crossed the line this year in a time of 5:51:19 – more than four minutes clear of Alexandra Morazova in second. Shelmisth Muriuki completed the podium a further 12 minutes away in third.

The winning time was not quite good enough to beat Steyn’s course record for the ‘down’ run (held in alternate years) – that was an astonishing 5:44:54 set in 2023. She also holds the record for the ‘up’ race with 5:49:46 in 2024.

Gerda Steyn at the 2019 Comrades Marathon — Gerda Steyn has now won the Comrades Marathon four times. [Photo credit: Comrades Marathon]

Diana claims men’s victory

There was also a home victory for South Africa in the men’s race with Tete Dijana making up for a miserable 14th-place finish in 2024 to claim his third win in the famous race.

He got the better of an absolutely thrilling battle with Dutchman Piet Wiersma to take the tape in 5:25:28 – just 5 seconds ahead of his nearest rival.

Those two had the race to themselves at the front, with third-place finisher Nikolai Volkov more than four minutes away in third to complete the podium.