Comrades Marathon: Why Gerda Steyn’s run was NOT the most impressive

Gerda Steyn, the darling of South African ultra-distance running, smashed Frith van der Merwe’s 34-year-old ‘down’ record in Sunday’s Comrades Marathon.

RESULT | Comrades Marathon: Gerda Steyn breaks Frith van der Merwe’s record

Steyn posted a time of 5:44.54, breaking Van der Merwe’s long-standing mark of 5:54:43 set in 1989 when she memorably finished 15th overall.

To note: Sunday’s race was 1.9km shorter than the 1989 edition due to road works on the route from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.

However, Steyn’s record run was arguably NOT the most impressive performance of the day!

Here’s why.

PICTURE | Two Oceans Marathon record-breaker Gerda Steyn downs a beer

Comrades Marathon legend Wally Hayward’s record as the oldest person to complete the race fell in spectacular fashion in Sunday’s race.

When 81-year-old Johannes Maros Mosehla crossed the finish line at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead, he broke Hayward’s record as the oldest competitor to complete the iconic ultra-marathon.

Hayward ran 10:58:03 in 1989 when he was 80, the same year that Frith van der Merwe set the now old women’s ‘down’ record.

RESULT | Comrades Marathon: Tete Dijana defends title, smashes record

Hayward’s record stood for a staggering 34 years – and many can still recall him crossing the line.

Mosehla, who runs for Polokwane Athletic Club, was running in his 10th Comrades Marathon.

This also made him by far the oldest person to join the prestigious Green Number club.

He was the oldest finisher of the 2022 event by six years in a more than respectable time of 11:31:27.

Comrades Marathon start and finish details

Speaking to The Running Mann, Stuart Mann ahead of Sunday’s race, Mosehle confirmed he was in much better shape this year.

ALSO READ | Comrades Finish Medical Facility to include pre-hospital ICU

Having run a 3:51 qualifying marathon, Mosehla started in ‘D’ batch and set a ‘modest’ target of stopping the clock in under 10 hours.

Mosehla exceeded expectations when he crossed the line in 9:26:10. That time was faster than well over half of the field!

Johannes Mosehla will no doubt be back again in 2024 to show off his Green Number – and break his own ‘oldest ever Comrades finisher’ record.

As for what keeps him fit and healthy, he listed three main disciplines:

• watch what you eat,

• watch how much sleep you get, and

• watch who you sleep with!

WATCH | Comrades Marathon records tumble in men’s and women’s race

Meanwhile, as reported by The South African website, Tete Dijana defended his men’s title, winning a thrilling race by just three seconds from Dutch novice Piet Wiersma.

Dijana broke David Getabe’s ‘down’ record which was set in 2016 when he stopped the clock in 5:13:58.

Getabe’s record had stood at 5:18:19.

ALSO READ | Shaun Pollock hands roses to Top 10 Comrades Marathon finishers

Sunday’s 96th Comrades Marathon started at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall at 05:30 and ended 12 hours later at the Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium in Durban.

The race was be the 48th Comrades ‘down’ run.

IN CLOSING | Comrades Marathon: Winners and record-holders of the ultimate human race

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