Gerda Steyn aims for unprecedented sixth consecutive Two Oceans win on Saturday

The winner of the women's division, Gerda Steyn, breaks the record with a winning time of 3:29:42 at the Two Oceans ultramarathon on 17 April 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. Two Oceans Ultra Marathon takes athletes on a 56km course, on a spectacular route around the Cape Peninsula, and it has often been voted as the most breath-taking course in the world. (Photo: Gallo images/Die Burger/Jaco Marais)

By Keanan Hemmonsbey

3 Apr 2025

South Africa’s road running queen will be looking to make Two Oceans history for the fourth time in four years on Saturday, as she looks to lower the course record again.

The 54th edition of the Two Oceans ultramarathon gets under way on Saturday morning with everyone’s eyes on the queen of the event, Gerda Steyn.

The remarkable distance runner is chasing an unprecedented sixth Two Oceans win, which, remarkably, would also be her sixth in succession.

The 35-year-old has taken a liking to the picturesque 56km course that starts in Main Road, Newlands, and goes through Muizenberg, St James, Kalk Bay and all the way up Chapman’s Peak and Constantia before concluding at the University of Cape Town’s sports fields.

The Ultramarathon saw Steyn stamp her authority as a distance runner to be reckoned with in 2018 as it signaled her first major career victory. She went back to back in 2019, before the 2020 and 2021 events were cancelled due to Covid-19.

But she came back from the two-year break better than before. Steyn became the first woman to break the three-hour-thirty minute mark in 2022, with a time of 3:29:42 to break the course record.

She went on to lower it again in 2023, and again in 2024, with the current record standing at 3:26:54.

Betting against Steyn making it six wins in a row and lowering the record once again would not be advised.

Elite race

Despite her success in the Two Oceans ultramarathon, Steyn is pragmatic.

“I treat every race as a new challenge,” she said. “I’m ready to give everything I have.”

She trains with her husband Duncan Ross, who cycles alongside the speedy runner to help pace her, as well as providing her with nutrition and hydration during her sessions.

“Running has been a journey we’ve embarked on together,” Steyn said about her partner. “From my early days as a social runner to making the leap into professional running, Duncan has been by my side through it all.

“The highs in this sport are incredible, but the lows can be tough. Having Duncan there through every triumph and setback has made all the difference.”

Steyn breaks the record with a winning time of 3:29:42 at the Two Oceans ultramarathon on 17 April 2022. Two Oceans Ultra Marathon takes athletes on a 56km course, on a spectacular route around the Cape Peninsula, and it has often been voted as the most breathtaking marathon in the world. (Photo: Gallo images / Die Burger / Jaco Marais)

Her biggest threat will probably come from her Hollywood AC teammate Irvette van Zyl, who will be poised to capitalise on any opportunity Steyn gives her.

“I know what I’m up against,” Van Zyl said. “But I’ve trained hard, and I’m ready to go all the way.”

The pair will also be hunted by elite runners Loveness Madziva, Jenna Challenor, Landie Greyling and Carla Molinaro, among a strong group of runners.

The winners of both the men’s and women’s races will receive a handsome R250,000, with the same amount promised for anyone who manages to beat the course record.

In the men’s race, defending champion Onalenna Khonkhobe is determined to make it back-to-back victories after claiming his first title in 2024 with a time of 3:09:30. The 29-year-old Khonkhobe has set his sights even higher this year.

“Last year was just the beginning,” said Khonkhobe. “I’m ready to defend my title.”

Khonkhobe is expected to face fierce competition. His teammate at Nedbank, Lloyd Bosman, who finished second in 2024, is itching to make the top spot.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment,” Bosman said. “I aim to make my Pacaltsdorp community proud. The victory is within reach.”

The 2023 winner, Zimbabwean Givemore Mudzinganyama, is also expected to be in the final mix as he looks to reclaim his title.

Biggest half-marathon

The elite runners will be joined by about 11,000 other athletes on Sunday hoping to complete the famed ultramarathon, while approximately 16,000 will be lacing up to do the half-marathon on Sunday.

Despite the Two Oceans being celebrated for the ultramarathon, the half-marathon is actually, by number of participants, the biggest half-marathon in South Africa.

There are also the Two Oceans trail run — around Table Mountain — and Friendship Run which will both take place on Friday, with about 7,000 people expected to participate. DM

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Elite race

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