South African ultramarathoner Gerda Steyn is expected to perform well in the Comrades Marathon, a grueling 85.91km journey from Durban to Pietermaritzburg. Steyn has twice won the marathon, setting records for both the ‘up’ and ‘down’ runs. This year’s competition will be tough due to strong competition from other runners. The race will take place on 9 June and has a reduced distance, making it the shortest Comrades Marathon to date.
Gerda Steyn is Expected to Shine in the Renowned Comrades Marathon in South Africa
Gerda Steyn, a well-renowned ultramarathoner in South Africa, is a favored participant in the forthcoming Comrades Marathon. Both onlookers and rivals anticipate her performance. Steyn, an accomplished 34-year-old marathoner, has twice claimed victory in the Comrades Marathon, setting records for both the ‘up’ and ‘down’ runs. This year’s triumph won’t be easy to achieve in the face of strong competition from Adele Broodryk, Carla Molinaro, Alexandra Morozova, and Caitriona Jennings.
Anticipation Surrounding the Comrades Marathon
Gerda Steyn, a well-renowned ultramarathoner in South Africa, is a favored participant in the forthcoming Comrades Marathon. Both onlookers and rivals anticipate her performance. This annual competition extends over an 85.91km journey from Durban to Pietermaritzburg. The race is on 9 June this year, representing its 97th occurrence and the 49th ‘up’ run of the marathon.
The starting gun will sound at 05:30 in the morning at the Durban City Hall. The race will last for 12 grueling hours, concluding at the Hollywoodbets Scottsville Racecourse in Pietermaritzburg. An interesting fact about this year’s race is that it’s the shortest Comrades Marathon to date. This comes as a relief for the 20,500 participants who have to tackle the daunting challenge. The reduced distance of the race increases the likelihood of new records being set around noon.
Gerda Steyn’s Impressive Track Record
Steyn, an accomplished 34-year-old marathoner, has twice claimed victory in the Comrades Marathon, setting records for both the ‘up’ and ‘down’ runs. Her spectacular performance in 2019 involved finishing the ‘up’ run in 5:58:53, and in 2020 she broke the ‘down’ run record with a time of 5:44.54. However, this year’s triumph won’t be easy to achieve in the face of strong competition from Adele Broodryk, Carla Molinaro, Alexandra Morozova, and Caitriona Jennings.
The climatic conditions on the day of the race are expected to be ideal for the runners. The South African Weather Service anticipates near-perfect weather. Durban’s temperature is expected to be a minimum of 13 degrees Celsius in the morning, while Pietermaritzburg should reach a maximum of 20 degrees Celsius. The wind is forecasted to blow at a gentle 9km/h in a north-northwest direction, and there is no rain expected throughout the day.
Changes and Developments in the Comrades Marathon
The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has made certain modifications to this year’s race to assist the participants. The final cut-off at the 79.1km point at Mkondeni has been extended from 11:10 to 11:20, offering an additional benefit to the backmarker runners. However, runners are reminded that this decision was made after the final cut-offs were announced in the official 2024 Comrades Marathon souvenir magazine and the 2024 Final Race Instructions.
Known as the ‘Ultimate Human Race’, the Comrades Marathon holds the distinction of being the world’s oldest and largest ultramarathon. As the 20,500 participants gear up to face the course, spectators will be there to encourage them at every juncture. The CMA has recommended prime viewing spots along the route, while advising spectators to steer clear of the Umlaas Road intersection and overpass due to ongoing construction and limited parking.
Exciting Prizes and Ways to Track the Race
In an exhilarating announcement, the CMA, in collaboration with Tier 1 partner, Cell C, has revealed a substantial increase in the prize money. The total prize pool has been boosted by a remarkable R1,364,000 to R4,092,000. This makes the Comrades Marathon not only the most lucrative race in South Africa, but also in Africa. The top 10 athletes, both men and women, will receive an added cash prize top-up from Cell C, besides the prize money offered by the CMA. Spectators can follow the progress of the runners through the official Comrades Marathon App.
The Comrades Marathon represents endurance, determination, and the unyielding human spirit. This year’s chapter is bound to add another thrilling page to the marathon’s rich and celebrated history.
1. Who is Gerda Steyn and what is her track record in the Comrades Marathon?
Gerda Steyn is a 34-year-old ultramarathoner from South Africa who has won the Comrades Marathon twice, setting records for both the ‘up’ and ‘down’ runs. In 2019, she finished the ‘up’ run in 5:58:53, and in 2020 she broke the ‘down’ run record with a time of 5:44.54.
2. When is the Comrades Marathon taking place and what is the distance of the race?
The Comrades Marathon will take place on 9 June and covers a grueling 85.91km journey from Durban to Pietermaritzburg. This year’s race has a reduced distance, making it the shortest Comrades Marathon to date.
3. Who are Gerda Steyn’s competitors in the Comrades Marathon?
Steyn will face strong competition from Adele Broodryk, Carla Molinaro, Alexandra Morozova, and Caitriona Jennings.
4. What modifications have been made to this year’s Comrades Marathon?
The final cut-off at the 79.1km point at Mkondeni has been extended from 11:10 to 11:20 to offer an additional benefit to the backmarker runners. However, runners are reminded that this decision was made after the final cut-offs were announced in the official 2024 Comrades Marathon souvenir magazine and the 2024 Final Race Instructions.
5. What is the prize money for the Comrades Marathon?
The total prize pool has been boosted to R4,092,000, making the Comrades Marathon the most lucrative race in South Africa and Africa. The top 10 athletes, both men and women, will receive an added cash prize top-up from Cell C, besides the prize money offered by the CMA.
6. How can spectators track the progress of the runners in the Comrades Marathon?
Spectators can follow the progress of the runners through the official Comrades Marathon App. The app will provide live tracking, results, and other information related to the race.
