Gerda Steyn extended her streak to an astounding sixth successive Two Oceans Marathon titles on Saturday.
The Hollywood Athletics Club runner was once again dominant in the race that saw her lead from the start to an unchallenged finishing tape at the UCT rugby fields, crossing the line in 3:29:11.
Speaking after her win, Steyn said: “I am so proud to be here and be able to use my God-given talent, and to enjoy it in the way that I do, is nothing but a blessing. I am thankful for how today played out.”
She said that her race strategy worked from the start.
“I planned to go a little bit faster in the first half of the face, and I wanted to be around a minute quicker than I was last year, which is a big amount to take off, and I was right on plan.”
This year the title sponsors dangled a major carrot with a R250 000 incentive for breaking the record, but Steyn says completing this feat was not top of mind.
“I am not at all (disappointed), I feel it was 100 percent successful. You can’t always break the record, getting a sixth victory in a row is a 10 out of 10. I planned to go a little faster in the first half, a minute quicker than last year and I was right on plan because it made everyone tired. I opened a gap early on and it was relaxing and a motivation.”
Saturday’s race proved that Steyn is the darling of South African running and she says the support is something she is so appreciative of.
“I cannot put into words, from the first kilometre and to the kilometre, it has just been ‘Go, Gerda, Go!’ It is shower for support, and I hope with my performance today I can share it with that amount of support that I have received.”
Kenya’s Shelmith Muriuki was second with a time of 3:37:51 with Neheng Khatala of Lesotho in third coming in 3:40:39.
Top 10 women’s finishers at the 2025 Two Oceans Marathon
1. Gerda Steyn (RSA) 03:29:11
2. Shelmith Muriuki (KEN) 03:37:51
3. Neheng Khatala (LSO) 03:40:39
4. Carla Natalia Molinaro (GBR) 03:43:45
5. Dikeledi Majara (LSO) 03:46:24
6. Nobuhle Tshuma (ZIM) 03:51:13
7. Worke Amena (ETH) 03:51:57
8. Meseret Biru (ETH) 03:53:19
9. Landie Greyling (RSA) 03:57:39
10. Deanné Laubscher (RSA) 03:59:12
Meanwhile, Lesotho’s Khoarahlane Seutloali pulled off a surprise victory in the men’s race.
The Hollywood Athletics Club runner clocked a relatively slow time of 3:10:46.
South Africa’s Siboniso Sikhakhane was second in 3:11:17 ahead of compatriot Lucky Mohale of Nedbank Running Club in 3:11:26.
Did you run – or support – Saturday’s Two Oceans Marathon?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
