The 2024 Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon witnessed another dominant display by Gerda Steyn, solidifying her position as the undisputed queen of ultramarathon running on the African continent in Cape Town on Saturday, 13 April, 2024.
The 34-year-old from Bothaville in the Free State lived up to pre-race expectations, claiming her fifth consecutive victory of the iconic “World’s Most Beautiful Marathon” in a record-breaking time of 3:26:54.
Steyn’s dominance unfolded from the outset where, despite windy conditions, she took an early lead, forming a leading trio with Irvette van Zyl and Loveness Madziva at the 14km mark.
What a feeling! So pleased to have had the race I dreamed about (and worked hard for). 5th Win and a new Course Record at @2OceansMarathon
Five Times Two Oceans UltraMarathon Champion, Gerda Steyn on X
By the 28km marker, the race had become a two-horse race between Steyn and Van Zyl as they tackled Chapman’s Peak.
Nicknamed the “Smiling Assassin,” Steyn showcased her superior strength at the marathon mark, relying on her powerful climbing to pull ahead of Van Zyl up Constantia Nek to solidified a narrow but widening lead, racing away to bound over the finish line to break her own 2023 record by two minutes.
Irvette van Zyl put up a valiant effort, ultimately finishing second with a time of 3:29:30, and Loveness Madziva completed the podium with a time of 3:38:00.
Gerda Steyn’s victory marks a monumental moment in Two Oceans Marathon history, She is the first athlete, male or female, to achieve five wins in this prestigious ultramarathon, her record all the more formidable for having achieved it in consecutive races, excepting the COVID-19 competition hiatus in year 2020 and 2021.
Steyn’s accomplishment puts the record clearly in her name, having shared it for the past year with Monica Drogemoeller and Elena Nurggalieva, each on four Two Oceans marathon wins in their respective careers.
Elite Women finishers of the 2024 Totalsports Two Oceans Ultramarathon, in Cape Town on Staurday, 13 April, 2024
1. Gerda Steyn (RSA) – 03:26:54
2. Irvette van Zyl (RSA) – 03:29:30
3. Loveness Madziva (Zim) – 03:38:00
4. Jenet Mbhele (RSA) – 03:41:08
5. Carla Natalia Molinaro (Eng) – 03:42:17
6. Andrea Pomaranski (USA) – 03:44:28
7. Caitriona Jennings (Ire) – 03:46:47
8. Adele Broodryk (RSA) – 03:47:50
9. Zinhle Shabalala (RSA) – 03:53:39
10. Steph McCall (Eng) – 03:55:48
Main Photo Caption: Gerda Steyn solidified her position as the undisputed queen of ultramarathon on the African continent when she broke her own 2023 record to win a record-breaking fifth consecutive Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town on Saturday. Photo: TotalsportsTwoOceansMarathon on Instagram
(0 rating, 0 votes, rated)
Loading...
