South African ultra-marathon sensation Gerda Steyn cemented her legendary status on Sunday, 8 June, by claiming her fourth consecutive Comrades Marathon title in a dominant performance that lit up the 2025 down run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.
Steyn crossed the finish line at the Kingsmead Stadium in Durban in a time of 5:49:12, comfortably securing her place at the top of the podium and reaffirming her reputation as one of the greatest athletes in the history of the world’s oldest and largest ultra-marathon. This year’s route covered approximately 87.7km of testing terrain, with athletes descending from Pietermaritzburg to Durban under warm winter skies and the cheers of thousands lining the route.
“I can’t put into words what this means to me,” said a beaming Steyn after the race. “Every Comrades is special, but to win it four times in a row is just unbelievable. The support out there was phenomenal – it truly felt like the entire province was behind us.”
This year’s Comrades Marathon attracted thousands of elite and amateur runners from across the globe, along with tens of thousands of spectators, energising both uMgungundlovu District and eThekwini Municipality with a surge in tourism activity. Local hotels, restaurants, transport services, and informal traders in Pietermaritzburg, the Midlands, and Durban reported a marked increase in business as visitors flooded the province for race weekend.
Tourism and economic development officials praised the event for its role in showcasing KwaZulu-Natal’s scenic beauty, warm hospitality, and world-class infrastructure. The influx of visitors is expected to provide a welcome boost to the regional economy in the wake of ongoing efforts to revive local tourism post-pandemic.
The Comrades Marathon, now in its 99th year, continues to be more than just a race — it is a celebration of endurance, heritage, and unity. With just one year to go until the centenary edition, anticipation is already building for what promises to be a monumental milestone in South African sport.
As Steyn lifted her arms in victory, the country once again celebrated a home-grown hero who not only dominates on the road but continues to inspire generations with her grace, grit, and greatness.
