EXCLUSIVE: Breakfast with Comrades champion, Gerda Steyn

Updated June 10, 2025, 6:38 a.m. | By East Coast Breakfast

We sat down with the queen of the Comrades, Gerda Steyn, as she shared her secrets to victory, her unexpected moment with Caster Semenya, and why it’s all about getting stronger, not easier.

It’s not every day that you sit across from royalty, but that’s exactly how we felt as we chatted with Gerda Steyn, the Beyoncé of running, at the Comrades Marathon Winners Breakfast.

On Monday morning, we weren’t just broadcasting live from any breakfast; we were at an event celebrating athletic greatness.

Steyn was the centre of attention. Her spirit truly blessed us as she shared her journey of triumph in the Comrades Marathon.

ALSO READ: Gerda Steyn primed for fourth Comrades title

In discussing her recent victory, Steyn elaborated on the nuances of the race.

"There's a quote that people often say, and it's very true, regardless of the level of running that you do, it never gets easier. You just get stronger," she reflected.

Despite not leading from the start, her strategic perseverance paid off, as she noted, “Even though I wasn't in the lead in the beginning, I didn't allow that to faze me and I didn't allow that to make me deviate from the plan I had in mind.”

Her determination and strategy led her to the finish line in first place, despite the pressure from her competitors.

One of the unexpected highlights for Steyn was being handed a rose by South African two-time Olympic gold medalist Caster Semenya. “It was completely unexpected. I didn't know that Caster would be handing me the rose,” Steyn said, her face lighting up with the memory.

“It gave me such a boost. It was really the cherry on top of an already amazing day.”

Listen to the full interview below:

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It's moments and interviews like these that remind us of the power of athletic spirit and community support.

Thank you, Gerda, for sharing your light with us.