Gerda Steyn once again proved her prowess by winning the 2024 Comrades Marathon, marking her third consecutive victory in this prestigious race.
2024 Comrades Marathon: Gerda Steyn dominance continues
Steyn crossed the finish line with an impressive time of 5 hours, 49 minutes, and 46 seconds, setting a new course record.
This victory adds to her accolades, making her one of the most dominant figures in ultra-marathon running today.
Steyn, known for her incredible stamina and strategic racing, broke her previous records, continuing her reign as the queen of Comrades.
The 2024 race was particularly challenging, but Steyn’s experience and determination saw her through.
Her decisive move at the Polly Shorts section opened up a significant gap, allowing her to maintain her lead and finish strong. Despite strong competition, Steyn’s pace and endurance were unmatched.
Steyn’s victory was not just a win but a testament to her consistent performance over the years.
She is currently the record holder for both the uprun and downrun distances, showcasing her versatility and strength across different race profiles.
In the men’s race, Piet Wiersma of the Netherlands crossed the finish line in an impressive time of 5 hours, 24 minutes, and 56 seconds.
Wiersma’s decisive moment came at Polly Shorts, where he broke away from the leading pack with about 40 minutes left in the race.
His strategic move paid off, allowing him to maintain the lead and secure his win.
Comrades Marathon prizes: Here’s what Steyn wins
Winning the Comrades Marathon is not only a prestigious achievement but also comes with substantial financial rewards.
This year, thanks to the partnership with Cell C, the prize money has seen a significant increase.
Gerda Steyn, as the first-place finisher in the women’s race, will receive a total prize of R825,000.
This includes the R275,000 top-up prize from Cell C and the standard prize money from the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA).
CMA Chairperson Mqondisi Ngcobo explained that the increased prize pool aims to recognise the effort and dedication of elite athletes.
The total prize purse for the event this year reached R4,092,000, with both men’s and women’s top ten finishers receiving substantial cash prizes.
“Elite athlete participants have long called for an increase in the prize money available given the considerable amount of time and effort that it takes to prepare for this event. We are thrilled that Cell C has come on board to assist the CMA in providing this recognition and reward to the race’s top contenders. I am confident that this prize money will stimulate increased competition and faster finishing times than ever before,” Ngcobo said.
Steyn’s consistent top performances and record-setting runs have not only cemented her status as a top athlete but also earned her significant financial rewards.