GERDA STEYN’S REMARKABLE 2024
From winning the Two Oceans and the Comrades to the Olympics, 2024 has been an extraordinary year for Gerda Steyn.
Steyn, along with Irvette Van Zyl and Cian Oldknow, flew the South African flag high during the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics.
She finished in 45th place at 2 hours and 32 minutes.
“It is such an honour to wear the Green and Gold. To stand on the start line representing your country and knowing that you carry the entire country on your shoulders,” Steyn told Gsport4girls after the race.
“I dedicate my run to everyone at home who supports me, it doesn’t matter what distance I take on, people back me, they support me all the way and that is something that really carries me when it gets tough during a race like this. I want to thank everyone back home who supports me.”
MESSAGE FOR SUPPORTERS
Steyn also shared a heartfelt message on her Facebook page thanking the fans and speaking about her experience at the summer games.
“The crowds were unbelievable and I will never forget this experience ever!! Thank you to those who have literally showered me with support and even though I didn’t run in the way I feel I am capable of, or trained for, I am still really proud to be part of this and I hope that my results today will also be a reminder to always keep going, even when the going gets tough. I didn’t feel good from the start and knew early on that it would be a tough day out, but I never thought about giving up because of all of you who always cheer me on and believe in me, no matter what challenge I take on! I am living my dream life and today’s results won’t change any of that,” Steyn wrote.
The 34-year-old is no stranger to events in Cape Town having won the Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon the last five times.
She currently holds the course record which she broke in 2023 and then again in 2024.
Two months after claiming her fifth Two Oceans title in April, Steyn went on to win her third Comrades Marathon in June.
She also holds the record fastest times for women at the Comrades
Steyn also competed in the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in 2021 where she placed fourth in a field featuring some of Africa’s elite runners.
