Gerda Steyn continued her dominance in the ultra-running scene, winning her seventh consecutive Two Oceans Marathon title in Cape Town on Saturday. Steyn, known as the ‘Smiling Assassin’, finished the race in a time of 3:27:43, almost six minutes ahead of runner-up Margaret Jepchumba of Kenya.
The Hollywood Athletics Club star has made the Two Oceans Marathon her own, winning the title every year since 2020. Her victory on Saturday was never in doubt, as she caught up with the early pacesetters and then injected the pace to burn them off one by one.
Steyn’s Dominance
Steyn’s win was her seventh consecutive title, and it cemented her status as one of the greatest ultra-runners in South African history. Her time of 3:27:43 was a little outside her own record, but it was still a dominant performance. Jepchumba was second in 3:33:31, while Nobukhosi Chuma of Entsika Athletic Club completed the podium spots in 3:38:34.
Past Performances
Steyn’s first Two Oceans Marathon was in 2016, when she finished in 14th place. Since then, she has gone on to win the title every year, with her fastest time being 3:25:44 in 2022. According to the Athletics South Africa website, Steyn is one of the most successful ultra-runners in the country’s history.
Steyn’s victory on Saturday was greeted with cheers from the crowd, and she acknowledged them with her trademark smile. She has become a beloved figure in South African athletics, and her dominance of the Two Oceans Marathon is unlikely to be challenged anytime soon.
- Gerda Steyn won her seventh consecutive Two Oceans Marathon title on Saturday
- She finished the race in a time of 3:27:43, almost six minutes ahead of runner-up Margaret Jepchumba
- Steyn’s victory cemented her status as one of the greatest ultra-runners in South African history
