AS promised before the race, Gerda Steyn ran the Comrades Marathon as if it were her last, breaking her own record and etching a new course record of 05:44:53.

Speaking to the press after her victory, Steyn reckoned she visualised how the race was to pan out, and the results proved her right.

“This is the most amazing day ever, a true honour. I left nothing out, I gave it my all, and it paid off. I knew this time I was going to break a record. It was important for me to show my strength for both down-run and up-run.” Steyn credited her victory to her thousands of supporters.

Steyn said that soon after the healing phase, she will get to work, looking ahead at the 100th Comrades.

Securing position two of the women’s tally was a first-time podium entry, Nobukhosi Tshuma, representing Enstika Athletics Club. After securing third position in the 2026 Two Oceans Marathon, she was confident that the Comrades would yield positive results.

“To say I am happy would be an understatement. I know the extra work I put in this time, and my strategy was to stick with Gerda all the way,” she said.

Last year’s fourth-place winner, Irvette Van Zyl, bagged third place this year.
“I am super excited and emotional. This podium means so much to me, as I know I gave everything I had. The race was tough, but I was tougher,” van Zyl shared.

In the men’s top three, George Kusche lifted the coveted trophy, recognising the cultural significance of the Comrades, he knew “nothing was to be taken for granted.” In the second and third place, Piet Wiersma and Mbuti Mollo delivered in record times.

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