Gerda Breaks 29-Year-Old SA Record
Steyn beats Elana Meyer's time of 1994 by 1:11
Gerda Steyn has firmly entrenched herself as South Africa’s best female ultra and marathon record holder.
Steyn finally broke one of the oldest running records in South Africa when she clocked 2:24.03 at the weekend’s Valencia Marathon to break the SA women’s marathon record. The previous best was held by Elana Meyer who ran 2:25.14 in Boston in 1994. Steyn also holds the Comrades ‘Up’ Run and Two Oceans records!
“Woohoo!! One very happy gal here!” Steyn said on her Instagram. “New South African National record, a big chunk off my previous PB and Olympic qualifier done!
“Feeling so grateful for today and having this experience, especially to have run along incredibly strong women and putting it all out there to get the result I worked for!”
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Steyn’s previous best was a 2:25.28 run in 2021 run in Italy. In Valencia she finished 11th behind winner Worknesh Degefa who ran an astonishing 2:15.51.
Steyn was congratulated by many of SA’s top runners and looks set to compete in the Paris Olympics in 2024.
“Fabulous run….!!!.” – three-time Comrades champion Bongmusa Mthembu
“Amazing Gerda 🔥👏👏! Inspiring performance- well done 🦸♀️🇿🇦🌟!’ – former Comrades champion Camille Herron
“Take a bow Gerda, incredible performance and athlete. 3 sensational records in one year. I salute you🙌 congratulations.” – Jenna Challenor, Two Oceans and Comrades Medallist
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