When Gerda Steyn toes the start line in Cape Town on Saturday morning, she won’t be carrying the weight of six consecutive victories on her shoulders, because in her mind, they simply don’t exist.

South Africa’s ultra-distance running royalty stands on the precipice of history at the Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon powered by BYD on 11 April, chasing a seventh straight title. But whilst thousands will gather to witness what could be a coronation, Steyn’s approach to the Mother City’s iconic 56km test reveals why she’s remained untouchable since 2020.

“I don’t think about the race as something that I have won six times, because every year is different,” the course record holder admits with characteristic humility. “A previous victory doesn’t guarantee a future victory, and each year, I have to put everything I have got into the preparation. I try to find ways to improve by building on previous performances. I would never allow myself to get too comfortable.”

It’s an approach that has transformed Steyn from a promising runner who finished 14th on her 2016 debut (4:15:44) into the dominant force who owns the course record of 3:26:54 and strikes fear into anyone brave enough to line up alongside her.

Training at altitude, leading by example

Whilst the scenic Chapman’s Peak and the energy of the Cape Peninsula await, Steyn’s preparation has unfolded in the thin air of her usual Dullstroom training base. But this year carried a twis, she chose to share some of her training sessions with rising talent Omuhle Kubheka of the John Hamelett-led Pan African Resources elite running team.

Steyn’s willingness to mentor the next generation speaks volumes about her character. Rather than viewing Kubheka as a threat, she sees an opportunity to give back whilst making her own preparation more enjoyable.

“It makes me extremely excited to see a young, talented athlete like Omuhle being so passionate about running,” Steyn explains. “It feels like yesterday when I was in her shoes, desperate for advice from more experienced athletes, and so it just feels right to try and spend time with her. Also, I train on my own most of the time and even though I am used to it, company makes the miles go by so fast. When you train with others, you share some of the load. We were all based in Dullstroom, training towards the same goals, so why not join forces and help each other where we can?”

Pressure? What pressure?

The weight of expectation would crush most athletes. Not only is Steyn chasing history, but she’s also the jewel in the crown of a purple team that could potentially sweep the women’s podium. Add the roar of adoring fans and the target on her back from challengers including Irvette van Zyl, Neheng Khatala, Shelmith Muruiki and others, and you’ve got a recipe for psychological meltdown.

But Steyn has mastered the art of controlling the controllables, focusing on her own preparation rather than external noise that serves only as a distraction.

“The race has grown so much in popularity and in quality, so that means I have to make 110% sure that I am ready for the known as well as the unknown challenges that may come on race day,” she says. “For me, motivation comes with setting a target and trying to achieve it. Confidence comes from training and preparation. But to be successful, everything must go right on the day and if it doesn’t, I still have to be the one that can navigate through it better than anyone else.”

There it is—the champion’s mindset distilled into a single paragraph.

A Race Week to Remember

The Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon powered by BYD doesn’t exist in isolation, it’s the centrepiece of a four-day running festival that transforms the Mother City into the endurance capital of South Africa.

The celebrations kick off on Thursday, 9 April with the International Friendship Run, before Friday’s Trail Run (07:00 start) tests competitors on Cape Town’s spectacular mountain terrain. Saturday’s Ultra Marathon fires at 05:15, with those 56km warriors needing every minute of the seven-hour cut-off to complete what’s affectionately known as the World’s Most Beautiful Marathon. Sunday’s Half Marathon (06:15 start) then provides a slightly less punishing finale for the weekend warriors.

And with a combined prize purse of R2.6 million up for grabs, R2 177 400 for the Ultra Marathon alone and R422 600 for the Half Marathon, there’s serious money on the line alongside the prestige.

An icon of the event

Chris Goldschmidt, Chairperson of the Two Oceans Marathon NPC, perfectly encapsulates Steyn’s impact on the event: “Gerda Steyn has become synonymous with excellence at the Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon powered by BYD. Her remarkable run of victories over the past few years has not only elevated the level of competition, but has also inspired countless runners across South Africa and beyond. To be chasing a seventh consecutive title is truly extraordinary, and it speaks volumes about her dedication, discipline, and the champion mindset that she brings to the start line year after year.”

Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon powered by BYD General Manager Wade Bromfield echoed those sentiments: “Gerda Steyn’s impact on the Totalsports Two Oceans Ultra Marathon powered by BYD has been nothing short of phenomenal. Her consistency, professionalism, and passion for the sport have made her a fan favourite and a role model for aspiring runners. The possibility of witnessing a historic seventh consecutive victory in the Mother City adds an exciting dimension to this year’s race and is something that both participants and spectators will be eagerly anticipating.”

Come Saturday morning, as the pre-dawn darkness still clings to Cape Town and thousands of nervous runners prepare to tackle 56km of heaven and hell, Gerda Steyn will stand at the start line with a mind emptied of past glories and future possibilities. She’ll focus only on the race ahead, the one that matters, the only one that exists.