The story of Gerda Steyn... from quantity surveyor to record-breaking athlete

Dan Corder (standing in for CapeTalk's John Maytham) is joined by South African Olympic champion Gerda Steyn to dive into her backstory, from Bothaville to the world stage.

Listen below:

Steyn, a South African marathon and ultramarathon icon, set the Comrades Marathon down-run record in 2023 with a time of 5:44:54, becoming the fourth woman to finish the race in under six hours.

Steyn's athletic journey started when she joined a running club at 24 years old. Only a few years after joining did she realise it could be a career.

"After being a quantity surveyor and being stuck behind a computer for a few years, it's a fresh change that came into my life," says Steyn. 

She also found love at the running club, where she met her husband who is also her coach. 

"It's been a wonderful journey and just so special to be able to share it with someone and not embark on this journey all on my own... So, that's been quite special and a real foundation for me from the start."

After racing in many countries, Steyn says nothing beats racing in South Africa.

"Running and racing in South Africa is very special to me and where my career is built, so to come back here and race here, I can say I've not found anywhere in the world as it is to run in South Africa."

Steyn explains how she gets through a race.

"Sometimes, from the outside, it can look monotonous but when you're on the road doing the thing, it's really exciting.

"It is a long time just being in your own head but I will admit, you go through so many ups and downs while you're running, you're constantly concentrating. I'm constantly searching inwards, thinking what I need, whether I'm comfortable, I feel like there's so much going on but feeling bored is the last thing on my mind."

For aspiring runners, Steyn has advice... Just start.

"I think finding that balance and also just to start is always a good idea. Focus inwards. Find ways for you as an individual to improve... I think if you start working on yourself and making sure you just perform at the best level that you can as an individual, the rest will almost fall in place... But start off and do everything in your power to get the most out of yourself and also to make sure that you do it in a way to ensure longevity in your career."

Scroll up to listen to the full conversation.