Gerda Steyn

Gerda Steyn (born 3 March 1990) is a South African marathon and ultramarathon athlete. She set the Comrades Marathon up-run record in 2019 with a mark of 5:58:53, becoming the first woman under 6 hours for that race.

Gerda Steyn
Personal information
Birth nameGerda Steyn
NationalitySouth African
Born (1990-03-03) 3 March 1990
Bothaville, Free State, South Africa
ResidenceJohannesburg, South Africa
EducationUniversity of the Free State
Occupationlong-distance runner
Years active2014-present
Sport
Country South Africa
SportAthletics
Event(s)Marathon, Ultramarathon
ClubNedbank Running Club
Coached byNick Bester
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)

Early life

Her parents are Pieter and Trudie Steyn. Gerda grew up on a farm in the Bothaville area and completed her schooling in 2008 at the Bothaville High School. Afterwards, she qualified as a quantity surveyor from the University of the Free State. She has a sister, Estie, and a brother, Stefan.

Career

In 2014 she went to work in Dubai and joined a running club, where she discovered her talent for running.[1] After completing her first Comrades in 2015, she met 1991 winner Nick Bester who became her coach.

Her first major career victory was in the 2018 Two Oceans Marathon, in a time of 3:39:32.

She won the 2019 up Comrades Marathon in a record time of 5 hours, 58 minutes and 53 seconds, becoming the first woman to complete the up run in under six hours.[2]

She also won the 2019 Two Oceans Marathon in a time of 3:31:28.

Her best time for a standard marathon was 2:27:48, achieved in 2019 in the New York City Marathon.

Results
Year Race Place Position Time
2015 Comrades Durban 56th 8:19:08
2016 Two Oceans Cape Town 14th 4:15:44
Comrades Pietermaritzburg 14th 7:08:23
2017 Comrades Durban 4th 6:45:45
2018 Two Oceans Cape Town 1st 3:39:32
Comrades Pietermaritzburg 2nd 6:15:34
New York Marathon New York 13th 2:31:04[3]
2019 Two Oceans Cape Town 1st 3:31:28
Comrades Durban 1st 5:58:53
New York Marathon New York 11th 2:27:48[4]

References
  1. "Gerda Steyn: The Tough One". Never stop running. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  2. Andrew Dawson (June 10, 2019). "Women's Course Record Shattered at 2019 Comrades Marathon". Runner's World. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  3. "New York Road Runners Official Race Results". results.nyrr.org. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  4. "New York Road Runners Official Race Results". results.nyrr.org. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
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