Gerda Steyn likely to shatter ‘unbreakable’ Comrades record

Due to the unpredictability of races held over extreme distances, suggesting that records will be broken ahead of major ultra-marathons is not well advised, but one athlete has been so brilliant in the build-up to the Comrades Marathon that she has made it relatively easy.

Going into the 2023 season, national marathon record holder Gerda Steyn had already been tipped as the favourite for the annual race in KwaZulu-Natal, and when she broke her own record at the Two Oceans 56km contest in Cape Town last month, she further cemented that status.

READ MORE: ‘I’ve never been so emotional’: Gerda Steyn delighted with latest victory

And if her form wasn’t enough to suggest she’s going to shatter one of the oldest records in the South African athletics books, two announcements recently made by the Comrades Marathon Association have given her more reason to make use of a rare opportunity to chase the ‘down’ run mark of 5:54:43 which was set by legendary ultra-distance runner Frith van der Merwe all the way back in 1989.

Last week, the Comrades Marathon Association announced the prize money had been increased significantly, offering the men’s and women’s winners R500 000 cheques and additional R500 000 bonuses for the records.

ALSO READ: Shorter distance races need to close the gap on Comrades prize purse

Then, just three days later, the race distance was revealed, and this would have been even better news for Steyn.

Shorter distance

One of the many things that makes Comrades unique is that the distance changes every year based on where it starts and finishes, as well as detours that have to be made, usually due to roadworks taking place on the lengthy route between Pietermaritzburg and Durban.

And with the ‘down’ run finish venue returning to its previous home at Kingsmead Stadium, organisers confirmed next month’s contest would be held over 87.7km, which is more than two kilometres shorter than it usually is.

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Steyn has already broken the ‘up’ run record between Durban and Pietermaritzburg (clocking 5:58:53 in 2019) but it will be the ‘down’ run mark that she will really want because that record has been considered virtually unbreakable.

Van der Merwe was so incredible on the day she set the ‘down’ run standard, only 14 elite men finished ahead of her as she ripped the women’s field apart.

If anyone, however, has the pedigree to go even quicker, it’s Steyn.

She will have to have a good run, which is never certain, but considering the incentive she’s been given and the opportunity she has to do it on a shorter route, predicting that the record will fall this year is not as risky as usual. It’s about as safe as a long-shot bet can get.