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"title": "‘It is the best day of my life’ — Gerda Steyn after breaking another Comrades Marathon record",
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"contents": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another ultra-marathon, another Gerda Steyn record.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The unrelenting marathon runner broke her own Comrades Marathon Up Run record on Sunday, coming in at 5:49:46, smashing her 2019 time of 5:58:53 by nearly 10 minutes.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I am speechless once again today. It is the best day of my life,” an elated Steyn said after crossing the finish line in Pietermaritzburg.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“For South Africa, I was carrying the thought of everyone watching the race today from the start to finish. It carried me, so thank you everybody.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Steyn ran nearly unopposed as she led the women’s field of the 85.91km race from Durban all the way to the finish line at Scottsville Stadium in Pietermaritzburg.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I do feel like my plan worked really well,” she said. “I’m quite particular when it comes to planning. I know where I want to be at certain spots.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2223733\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/TL_2225159.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" /> <em>Gerda Steyn gives thanks after winning the 2024 Comrades Marathon in record time. (Photo: Darren Stewart / Gallo Images)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2223732\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/TL_2225164.jpg\" alt=\"Comrades Gerda Steyn\" width=\"720\" height=\"479\" /> <em>Comrades in arms: Women's winner Gerda Steyn and men's victor Piet Wiersma. (Photo: Darren Stewart / Gallo Images)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“There was never really a time in the race where I wasn’t on plan, except for 2km to go [to the finish].</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I looked at the clock and saw that I will have to sprint to make it under 5:50 and I only just made it so it’s just an extra bonus.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sunday’s win is Steyn’s third overall at the Comrades – following wins in 2019 and 2023 – and second in succession, making her the fifth woman to win it three times.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It’s been a brilliant year for the runner, having broken the course records at Om Die Dam, The Two Oceans Marathon and now the Comrades.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is also an Olympic year, with Steyn set to fight for a spot on the podium in the marathon on the streets of Paris in two months.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“It is a challenge that I’ve set myself,” the Phantane Athletics Club runner said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I know nobody has ever attempted running Comrades and the Olympics in the same year but I feel really blessed that I’ve got this opportunity.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2223731\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/TL_2225171.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" /> <em>Alexandra Morozova takes second place at the 2024 Comrades Marathon. (Photo: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2223729\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/TL_2225141.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" /> <em>Dan Moselakwe takes a short break after crossing in second in the men's 2024 Comrades Marathon. (Photo: Darren Stewart / Gallo Images)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“To stand here today, it feels like I have the platform to encourage people to go after difficult things because it’s worth it and it builds your character and it inspires so many people.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I’m happy about my choice and I’m going to work so hard to be ready on 11 August to represent South Africa in the proudest way that I possibly can.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Russia’s Alexandra Morozova, the 2022 Comrades Marathon winner, was second in 6:05:12 while America’s Courtney Olsen, running in her first Comrades, closed out the podium in 6:08:09.</span>\r\n<h4><b>Flying Dutchman</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the men’s race, 26-year-old Dutch runner Piet Wiersma took first place in an impressive time of 5:25:00 to become the first non-South African winner of the race since Zimbabwe’s Stephen Muzhingi in 2011.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lesotho’s Jobo Khatoane led to half at Drummond before he stopped his watch and stepped aside as he allowed Russian runner Aleksei Beresnev to pass him — a clear ploy from his Maxed Running Club.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2219820\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/TL_2019509.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"423\" /> <em>Gerda Steyn wins the Women’s Ultra Marathon in a new course record at the 2023 Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon in Cape Town on 15 April 2023. (Photo: Peter Heeger / Gallo Images)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2219819\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/TL_2019480.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"907\" /> <em>Gerda Steyn celebrates winning the Two Oceans Marathon in a new course record at UCT Rugby Fields in Cape Town on 15 April 2023. (Photo: Peter Heeger / Gallo Images)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Winner of the last two Comrades Marathons, Tete Dijana, stopped dead twice while running in the elite bus, allowing several runners to pass him before running behind the group again.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dijana struggled in the last 30km and faded to finish outside of the top 10.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just after Cato Ridge with about 20km to go to the finish line in Pietermaritzburg, a Nedbank quartet, led by 2022 runner-up Wiersma, overtook a labouring Beresnev.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wiersma broke away from the pack and surged ahead at Little Pollys, about 40 minutes out from the finish, and held on to pass under the Comrades Marathon arches first.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">South Africa’s Dan Moselakwe came in second at 5:25:45 while Ethiopia’s Degefa Yohannese Lafebo finished third in 5:27:48. </span><b>DM</b>",
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"name": "Gerda Steyn wins the Women’s Ultra Marathon in a new course record celebrates with spectators during the 2023 Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon finishing at UCT Rugby Fields on April 15, 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Peter Heeger/Gallo Images)",
"description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another ultra-marathon, another Gerda Steyn record.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The unrelenting marathon runner broke her own Comrades Marathon Up Run record on Sunday, coming in at 5:49:46, smashing her 2019 time of 5:58:53 by nearly 10 minutes.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I am speechless once again today. It is the best day of my life,” an elated Steyn said after crossing the finish line in Pietermaritzburg.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“For South Africa, I was carrying the thought of everyone watching the race today from the start to finish. It carried me, so thank you everybody.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Steyn ran nearly unopposed as she led the women’s field of the 85.91km race from Durban all the way to the finish line at Scottsville Stadium in Pietermaritzburg.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I do feel like my plan worked really well,” she said. “I’m quite particular when it comes to planning. I know where I want to be at certain spots.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2223733\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2223733\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/TL_2225159.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" /> <em>Gerda Steyn gives thanks after winning the 2024 Comrades Marathon in record time. (Photo: Darren Stewart / Gallo Images)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2223732\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2223732\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/TL_2225164.jpg\" alt=\"Comrades Gerda Steyn\" width=\"720\" height=\"479\" /> <em>Comrades in arms: Women's winner Gerda Steyn and men's victor Piet Wiersma. (Photo: Darren Stewart / Gallo Images)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“There was never really a time in the race where I wasn’t on plan, except for 2km to go [to the finish].</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I looked at the clock and saw that I will have to sprint to make it under 5:50 and I only just made it so it’s just an extra bonus.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sunday’s win is Steyn’s third overall at the Comrades – following wins in 2019 and 2023 – and second in succession, making her the fifth woman to win it three times.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It’s been a brilliant year for the runner, having broken the course records at Om Die Dam, The Two Oceans Marathon and now the Comrades.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is also an Olympic year, with Steyn set to fight for a spot on the podium in the marathon on the streets of Paris in two months.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“It is a challenge that I’ve set myself,” the Phantane Athletics Club runner said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I know nobody has ever attempted running Comrades and the Olympics in the same year but I feel really blessed that I’ve got this opportunity.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2223731\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2223731\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/TL_2225171.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" /> <em>Alexandra Morozova takes second place at the 2024 Comrades Marathon. (Photo: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2223729\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2223729\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/TL_2225141.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" /> <em>Dan Moselakwe takes a short break after crossing in second in the men's 2024 Comrades Marathon. (Photo: Darren Stewart / Gallo Images)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“To stand here today, it feels like I have the platform to encourage people to go after difficult things because it’s worth it and it builds your character and it inspires so many people.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I’m happy about my choice and I’m going to work so hard to be ready on 11 August to represent South Africa in the proudest way that I possibly can.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Russia’s Alexandra Morozova, the 2022 Comrades Marathon winner, was second in 6:05:12 while America’s Courtney Olsen, running in her first Comrades, closed out the podium in 6:08:09.</span>\r\n<h4><b>Flying Dutchman</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the men’s race, 26-year-old Dutch runner Piet Wiersma took first place in an impressive time of 5:25:00 to become the first non-South African winner of the race since Zimbabwe’s Stephen Muzhingi in 2011.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lesotho’s Jobo Khatoane led to half at Drummond before he stopped his watch and stepped aside as he allowed Russian runner Aleksei Beresnev to pass him — a clear ploy from his Maxed Running Club.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2219820\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2219820\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/TL_2019509.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"423\" /> <em>Gerda Steyn wins the Women’s Ultra Marathon in a new course record at the 2023 Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon in Cape Town on 15 April 2023. 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"social_title": "‘It is the best day of my life’ — Gerda Steyn after breaking another Comrades Marathon record",
"social_description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another ultra-marathon, another Gerda Steyn record.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The unrelenting marathon runner broke her own Comrades Marathon Up Run rec",
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Gerda Steyn gives thanks after winning the 2024 Comrades Marathon in record time. (Photo: Darren Stewart / Gallo Images)
Comrades in arms: Women's winner Gerda Steyn and men's victor Piet Wiersma. (Photo: Darren Stewart / Gallo Images)
Alexandra Morozova takes second place at the 2024 Comrades Marathon. (Photo: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)
Dan Moselakwe takes a short break after crossing in second in the men's 2024 Comrades Marathon. (Photo: Darren Stewart / Gallo Images)
Gerda Steyn wins the Women’s Ultra Marathon in a new course record at the 2023 Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon in Cape Town on 15 April 2023. (Photo: Peter Heeger / Gallo Images)
Gerda Steyn celebrates winning the Two Oceans Marathon in a new course record at UCT Rugby Fields in Cape Town on 15 April 2023. (Photo: Peter Heeger / Gallo Images)